BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A record number of Americans are expected to hit the road, skies, and seas this Independence Day holiday, according to AAA. The travel organization projects 72.2 million people will journey 50 miles or more between Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, July 6—the highest volume ever recorded for the holiday.

“This will be the busiest Independence Day travel period on record,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Blue Grass. “We urge travelers to prepare ahead—whether you’re driving or flying—to avoid delays and ensure a smooth trip.”

Travel by Car: Still King

A projected 61.6 million travelers will drive to their destinations, a 2.2% increase from last year and the highest number of road travelers ever for the July 4th period. AAA recommends completing all routine maintenance, packing an emergency kit, and leaving early to avoid heavy traffic.

In 2024, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside calls during the same week for issues ranging from flat tires to lockouts and dead batteries. While gas prices have ticked up due to global oil market fluctuations—including the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict—they remain lower than they were in 2021.

July 3 is expected to be the busiest day for car rentals, with Hertz reporting high demand for SUVs and midsize sedans. Top road trip destinations include Orlando, Denver, Boston, Oahu, and Seattle.

Travel by Air: Another Record Year

Air travel is also poised to break records, with 5.84 million people projected to fly—an 8% share of all travelers and a 1.4% increase over last year’s record.

AAA advises air travelers to:

Arrive early at the airport

Carry a REAL ID-compliant ID

Download airline apps for live updates

The average roundtrip domestic airfare this July 4th is $810, up 4% from last year. For better deals, AAA recommends booking weekday flights, especially on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Other Modes: Cruising Back in a Big Way

Roughly 4.78 million travelers will choose buses, trains, or cruises, with cruising leading the surge. Alaska cruises are especially popular in July, driving near-record numbers for this category—just shy of the 2019 record of 4.79 million.

Top July 4th Destinations

Based on AAA bookings, top Independence Day destinations include:

Domestic: Orlando, Seattle, Boston, Oahu, New York, Miami, Las Vegas, and Alaska cruise ports

International: Vancouver, Rome, London, Dublin, and Paris

AAA encourages families to explore national parks or plan ahead for Alaska cruise season. For more travel inspiration, visit AAA’s Trip Canvas.

Whether by land, air, or sea, AAA advises travelers to plan ahead and expect busy roads and crowded terminals as America celebrates its independence.

AAA Predicts Record Holiday Travel: Central Oregon, Portland and Coast Top Lists; Road Advice

Published 06/23/25 at 4:35 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon) – As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, AAA projects a historic travel surge, and it’s no surprise the Oregon coast is one of those destinations at the top of the list for regional travelers.

AAA said it expects an estimated 72.2 million Americans – including 875,000 Oregonians – planning to journey 50 miles or more from home during the holiday period.

The forecast marks a significant 1.7 million increase over 2024 and a staggering 7 million jump from 2019, making it the busiest Independence Day travel period on record. Driving and flying are poised to lead the charge, with 61.6 million Americans, including 686,000 Oregonians, expected to hit the road- a record for automobile travel. Air travel is also expected to reach new heights, with 5.84 million flyers nationwide and 124,000 Oregonians taking to the skies.

Fueling the surge in road trips is relative price relief at the pump. While Oregon fuel prices remain more or less the same compared to 2024, motorists across much of the U.S. are seeing lower prices than last year – and a significant drop from the record-high prices of 2022.

“Despite concerns about the economy, consumers are making travel a priority,” said Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “Road trips remain the most popular way to celebrate Independence Day. Traveling by car is often more affordable and offers greater flexibility.”

Destination trends reveal Americans are flocking to theme parks, beaches, and cruise gateway cities. Anaheim ranks as the top U.S. destination for AAA Oregon/Idaho members, with Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. also scoring high due to the seasonal popularity of Alaska cruises. Among international travelers, European cities dominate.

Closer to home, central Oregon and the Oregon coast continue to shine, with both regions contributing two cities each to AAA’s list of the top 10 regional travel destinations. Newport and Lincoln City lead the coast-bound choices.

AAA offered some advice to motorists – especially handy to those coming and going to the Oregon coastline.

Complete List of Oregon Coast Fourth of July Celebrations 2025 – Brookings, Gold Beach, Port Orford, Coos Bay, Bandon, Florence, Yachats, Newport, Lincoln City, Rockaway Beach, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Astoria

Travelers should expect heaviest traffic on Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, especially during afternoon and evening hours. AAA advises motorists to hit the road early in the day to avoid peak congestion.

Check the new Portland, Oregon Traffic page for highway traffic Portland, Oregon Highway Traffic, Road Conditions – Traffic Cams: I-5 – I-205 – I-405 – Hwy 217 – I-84, or the Oregon Coast Traffic / Road Conditions page to preview your trip.

To support travelers, AAA will offer full roadside services throughout the holiday period. Last year, the organization responded to more than 700,000 assistance calls across the U.S. – 7,000 of those in Oregon alone. Common holiday mishaps include dead batteries, flat tires, and vehicle lockouts.

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If you are hitting the road this 4th of July, plan ahead.

Shutterstock photo.

WASHINGTON DC – AAA projects 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday period, which runs Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.

This year’s domestic travel forecast is up 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than in 2019.

AAA projects 61.6 million will travel by car, a 2.2 percent increase over last year, and the highest volume on record. Travelers are advised to get routine vehicle maintenance ahead of your trip and packing an emergency kit.

Last July 4th week, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls for issues such as dead batteries, flat tires, running out of gas, and getting locked outside of vehicles.

Drivers are seeing some price increases at the pump, but summer gas prices are still the lowest they’ve been since 2021. The Israel Iran conflict has driven up the price in recent days and is something to watch as it rolls on.

By air, AAA expects 5.84 million travelers, a 1.4 percent increase from 2024.

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6 to be the busiest days on the road. Afternoon hours will be the most congested. Drivers should hit the road in the morning to avoid the worst traffic, but keep in mind construction, crashes, or severe weather could impact travel times. Watch for stopped vehicles and Slow Down, Move Over for emergency responders.

For more information, visit https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/06/july4forecast/

AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel domestically during the Independence Day holiday period (Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6). This represents an increase of 1.7 million travelers (2.4%) over last year and 7 million more than in 2019.

To better reflect holiday travel trends, AAA’s forecast now accounts for two weekends, capturing extended trips and varied departure schedules.

Michigan Travel Trends

Michigan travel is expected to reach historic levels, with more than 2.6 million Michiganders hitting the road, skies, and rails – that’s up 71,000 (nearly 3%) from last year.

Driving: Nearly 2.4 million Michigan residents will take a road trip (+59,000 from last year, up 2.5%).

Flying: Nearly 96,000 Michigan residents will fly domestically (+1,000, up 1%).

Other Modes: More than 160,000 Michiganders will take buses, trains, or cruises (+11,000, up 7%).

Michigan Independence Day Travelers Auto Air Other Total 2025 2.4 million 95,681 161,302 2.6 million 2024 2.3 million 94,613 150,273 2.5 million 2019 2.1 million 90,195 158,604 2.3 million

“Independence Day is one of the most popular times for travel, with Americans eager to take advantage of summer vacation opportunities,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of AAA Travel. “This year, we’re seeing strong demand for road trips, flights, and cruises, especially with the holiday falling on a Friday. This is allowing travelers to extend their getaways and make lasting memories with loved ones.”

How Americans Are Traveling This Independence Day

By Car:

AAA estimates 61.6 million Americans will drive—a 2.2% increase from last year and the highest number ever recorded. 1.3 million more road travelers are expected compared to 2024.

Drivers should prepare their vehicles in advance, as AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside assistance calls nationwide during last year’s holiday period for issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty gas tanks.

Gas prices are likely to fluctuate before Independence Day. Last week, oil prices surged in response to Israel’s strikes on Iran, increasing gasoline production costs. While analysts suggest this may be a short-term reaction, it’s too early to know whether prices will stabilize before the holiday. Michigan drivers are currently paying $3.30. That is approximately 30 cents per gallon less than last year’s holiday. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com for the latest gas price averages.

RoadTrip Inspiration: Take a road trip to one of the 10 Best National Parks to Visit in Summer on AAA Trip Canvas.

By Air:

Air travel is reaching record-breaking numbers nationwide, with 5.84 million people flying, a 1.4% increase over last year’s previous high. This figure exclusively represents domestic leisure travel, counting complete round-trip itineraries as a single trip. This differs from TSA data, which tracks each individual airport screening separately and includes both domestic and international travel.

AAA data shows round-trip domestic flights averaging $810, up 4% from 2024. Travelers booking last-minute can find better deals by flying midweek (Tuesdays or Wednesdays).

Air Travel Inspiration: Need family-friendly ideas? Explore the 17 Best Vacation Spots for Families on AAA Trip Canvas.

By Other Modes:

Nearly 4.78 million people will travel by bus, train, or cruise, marking a 7.4% rise over last year. Cruising continues to fuel this growth, particularly in peak Alaska cruise season.

Cruise Inspiration: Check out the 9 Best Alaska Cruises for Every Traveler for your next adventure.

AAA’s Top Independence Day Destinations

AAA booking data reveals the most sought-after travel spots for July 4th:

DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL ORLANDO, FL VANCOUVER, CANADA SEATTLE, WA ROME, ITALY NEW YORK, NY PARIS, FRANCE ANCHORAGE, AK LONDON, ENGLAND FORT LAUDERDALE, FL BARCELONA, SPAIN HONOLULU, HI DUBLIN, IRELAND DENVER, CO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS MIAMI, FL CALGARY, CANADA BOSTON, MA ATHENS, GREECE ATLANTA, GA LISBON, PORTUGAL

These destinations are based on AAA booking data for the Independence Day travel period. Cruises, beaches, and fireworks are the main motivators for travelers heading to these cities. Alaska cruises are in peak season, Florida and Hawaii are in high demand for their resorts and attractions, and New York and Boston host two of the most popular fireworks shows in the nation.

Internationally, Vancouver tops the list for its mild weather and perfect blend of urban excitement and natural beauty. This is followed by Europe’s most in-demand cities like Rome and Paris.

Best & Worst Times to Drive

According to INRIX, expect heavy road congestion on Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6. The busiest times will be afternoons, while mornings offer the best escape from traffic.

Ideal Travel Times:

Worst hours: Afternoon to early evening

Best hours: Early morning

Drivers should remain alert for construction delays, crashes, and severe weather. AAA reminds all motorists to Slow Down, Move Over for emergency responders assisting roadside travelers.

Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car Date Worst Travel Time Best Travel Time Saturday, Jun 28 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Before 10:00 AM Sunday, Jun 29 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Monday, Jun 30 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Before 12:00 PM Tuesday, Jul 01 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Before 2:00 PM Wednesday, Jul 02 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM Before 12:00 PM Thursday, Jul 03 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Before 12:00 PM Friday, Jul 04 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Before 12:00 PM Saturday, Jul 05 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Before 11:00 AM Sunday, Jul 06 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Before 11:00 AM

“We encourage travelers to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect their plans,” said Haas. “Unexpected disruptions like flight delays, lost luggage, or medical emergencies can turn a dream vacation into a stressful experience. Travel insurance provides peace of mind, ensuring you can enjoy your Independence Day getaway with confidence.”