Get ready for a busy Fourth of July! On Friday, the American Automobile Association (AAA) projected that more than 72 million Americans are expected to travel domestically during the holiday period, which begins the weekend (Saturday, June 28th) before Independence Day this year. That would be an increase of 1.7 million people over 2024. This includes those expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 6.

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With schools letting out and families preparing to travel, experts say planning and staying flexible will be key to navigating the busiest summer travel season in 15 years. According to AAA, Orlando tops the list of U.S. destinations for the Fourth of July, while Vancouver is No. 1 among cities Americans will visit overseas.

AAA projects 72 Million Americans Will Travel For This Fourth Of July

With just two weeks to go, AAA has projected that a whopping 72 million Americans will travel this Fourth of July. According to AAA, the majority, over 61.5 million, will travel by car. This Independence Day holiday period is expected to see an additional 1.3 million road travelers compared to 2024. Travel experts say road congestion will be at its worst on Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6. Another 4.78 million people will travel by bus, train, or cruise.

“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4th is one of the most popular times to get away. Following Memorial Day’s record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week. With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.” – Stacey Barber, Vice President at AAA.

Summer gas prices are the lowest since 2021, but AAA says the Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East and weather could impact how much travelers have to spend at the pump.

Last July 4th, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls for issues like dead batteries and flat tires, as well as people locking themselves out of their cars or running out of gas. AAA recommends getting routine vehicle maintenance ahead of your trip and packing an emergency kit.

Airports will also be busy, with 5.8 million people expected to fly, 8% of all Independence Day travelers, and a 1.4% increase over the previous record of 5.76 million air travelers set last Independence Day week. The FAA faces a nationwide shortage of Air Traffic Controllers, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling it an urgent issue. He also highlighted the urgent need to upgrade equipment in control towers.

“They should not be using this equipment,” Duffy said. “Americans expect much better, and I’m pulling every lever to keep controllers in the pipeline and fully certified.”

A Record 4.2 Million Illinoisans Expected To Travel This July 4th Week

Illinois travel is expected to reach historic levels, with 4.2 million Illinoisans hitting the roads, skies, and rails – up 104,000 from last year.

Top Destinations With Best & Worst Times To Travel

Some top destinations based on advanced bookings are also on AAA’s list of most popular places to visit over July 4th this year, and Orlando, Florida, tops that list. Other destinations within the U.S. include Seattle, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, etc., popular tourist hubs on any given day of the year, and the fourth of July weekend will only make it more crowded. The same applies to international destinations like Rome, Paris, London, and Barcelona (despite Spain protesting against tourists).

Top 4th of July Destinations

Domestic International/Caribbean Orlando, Florida Vancouver, Canada Seattle, Washington Rome, Italy New York, New York Paris, France Anchorage, Alaska London, England Fort Lauderdale, Florida Barcelona, Spain Honolulu, Hawaii Dublin, Ireland Denver, Colorado Amsterdam, Netherlands Miami, Florida Calgary, Canada Boston, Massachusetts Athens, Greece Atlanta, Georgia Lisbon, Portugal

The number of people traveling by air is projected to set a new record, leading to traffic snarls and long lines, which is an understatement. Planning your departure with expected delays will be key to making up for any timelines for flights, trains, buses, or cruises.

Times To Avoid Travel & Plan Travel As Per AAA

Date Worst Travel Time Best Travel Time Saturday, June 28 12 noon – 5 p.m. Before 10 a.m. Sunday, June 29 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Before 11 a.m. Monday, June 30 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Before noon. Tuesday, July 1 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Before 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 12 noon – 9 p.m. Before noon. Thursday, July 3 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Before noon. Friday, July 4 12 noon – 7 p.m. Before noon. Saturday, July 5 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Before 11 a.m. Sunday, July 6 12 noon – 6 p.m. Before 11 a.m.

America’s summer travel has already been in full swing, and AAA projects 72 million Americans will travel domestically for the Fourth of July. This will be about 1.7 million more people over the Fourth of July break in 2024. AAA has provided data, guidelines, and suggestions on how to make the most of holiday travel without being stranded in traffic or stuck in lines.

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AAA gives travelers advice on staying safe and prepared on the roads for the expected busy roads for the holiday weekend

NORFOLK, Va. — We are two weeks away from the 4th of July weekend, where people will take to the roads and the skies to travel for Independence Day celebrations.

AAA says two weeks from now, it could be bumper-to-bumper in certain places, and experts say it’s beneficial to start preparing now ahead of the holiday.

AAA is projecting that a little more than 72 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles around the 4th of July, between June 28 and Sunday, July 6. Officials say that’s a 10.7% increase since 2019, pre-pandemic.

“It’s really important that people be safe out there. Almost 2 million Virginians are going to be out there on the roads, and we need to be safe,” said Holly Dalby with AAA Tidewater Virginia.

With more people on the roads, Dalby tells us preparation is crucial for not just a successful trip, but a safe one.

“First, you want to make sure your vehicle is in good working order, so maybe stop by a shop,” Dalby said. “Check your tires, your batteries, all those sorts of things, and pack an emergency kit in your trunk before you leave.”

Last year, Dalby said AAA responded to over 700,000 calls for emergency services. This year, they’re reiterating the extra steps they’re taking to make sure travelers are prepared for anything. “These are things like dead batteries, flat tires, lockouts, running out of gas, all things that can be preventable.”

With the inevitable traffic, especially in Hampton Roads, combined with lower gas prices, they recommend leaving first thing in the morning. AAA says July 2 from noon to 9 p.m. will potentially be the busiest travel time.

While that may not always be avoidable, safety should always be your top priority.

“Wear that seatbelt, watch your speed, let’s not speed or drive too aggressively, and remember to slow down and move over,” Dalby said.

Dalby also advises those still looking to book hotels or Airbnb to do so now, because many places are already booked up.

It’s also recommended to make sure you have your real ID if you’re headed to the airport, as it has the blue star on it.

For the first time in more than 10 years, Independence Day falls on a Friday in 2025. While Fourth of July is always a busy time for travel, the long weekend means travelers should prepare for larger crowds. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened a record number of passengers during the 2024 July Fourth weekend, and those records might be broken again in 2025.

According to a new forecast from AAA, a record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 6. That’s a 2.4% increase over 2024, with both road and air travel expected to reach all-time highs.

Meanwhile, vacation rental data site AirDNA says that bookings at short-term rentals are higher this year versus July Fourth 2024 — and some of those increases are pretty significant. For example, Washington D.C. has 26.8% more reservations on the books compared to this time last year.

But some days of the holiday week are less crowded (and cheaper) than others. If you can be flexible with your travel schedule and fly out on one of those less-crowded days, you could save money and avoid peak airport chaos.

Here’s what you need to know to fly smarter over the Independence Day travel window in 2025 — and potentially save money on airfare.

The best and worst days to fly over Fourth of July weekend in 2025

NerdWallet analyzed airfare price data provided by Expedia and TSA data showing the number of passengers screened at its U.S. checkpoints to predict the best and worst days to fly for July Fourth. We focused on a 15-day period including the week leading up to Independence Day, the holiday itself and the week following it. Here’s what you can expect in 2025.

The worst day to fly on or before Fourth of July

Friday, June 27: To avoid crowds and save money, don’t fly the Friday before. Last year, the Friday before July Fourth was the busiest travel day in the week preceding the holiday.

Expedia expects that Friday, June 27, will be the most expensive day to fly in the seven-day window ahead of July Fourth.

The worst days to fly after Fourth of July

Sunday, July 6: For post-holiday travel, the Sunday after Fourth of July ranks as the busiest day to fly. In 2024, the Sunday after the holiday, July 7, marked the first time more than 3 million people passed through TSA checkpoints in a single day. About 36% more people passed through airports on that day compared to Fourth of July.

We expect similar patterns with a Friday holiday as people look to return home from the long weekend.

Friday, July 11: Along with July 6, this is one of the two most expensive days to fly in the seven-day period after July Fourth, according to Expedia. TSA data from the past six years shows that Fridays are typically the busiest day of the week throughout the year, so it’s no surprise that prices will be high.

The best days to fly on or before Fourth of July

Friday, July 4: Typically, Independence Day is the least busy day to fly. We expect that pattern to hold, even though the holiday falls on a Friday this year — and Fridays are typically busy days for flying. Last year, airport crowds on July Fourth were 24% smaller than they were on the busiest travel day in the week ahead of the holiday, which was the Friday before.

Fourth of July is also one of the cheapest days to fly in the week leading up to the holiday, according to Expedia — a sign of lower demand.

Monday, June 30: If you’d rather spend July Fourth celebrating — and not in an airport — turn to Monday, June 30. According to Expedia, Monday, June 30, will be the cheapest day to fly in the week leading up to the holiday. Booking a flight on this date gives you a head start on your vacation while avoiding the higher prices seen later in the week.

The best days to fly after Fourth of July

Monday, July 7, and Tuesday, July 8: These are the two cheapest dates to fly in the week after the holiday, according to Expedia. In general, Tuesday is also the least busy day on average at airports, according to a NerdWallet analysis of TSA data over the past six years.

Optimize your Fourth of July itinerary

Avoid the July Fourth crowds and save money by traveling during less-crowded times.

For longer trips, fly earlier in the week. If you want to extend your trip, consider leaving on Monday or Tuesday ahead of the holiday, rather than Friday, June 27. For your return trip, try flying out on Monday or Tuesday following the holiday weekend.

Travel on July Fourth. Whether you’re arriving home or jetting off, flying early in the day on July Fourth might be a smart move. About 86% of flights departing between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. from major airports left on time, compared to just 71% of flights departing between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., according to Department of Transportation data from December 2024, the most recent data available.

As Christmas and New Year’s approach, San Diego’s airport will be more crowded than ever, but the vast majority of Southern Californians heading out of town — a record 8.7 million — will be navigating congested freeways over a 12-day holiday period.

The good news, says the Automobile Club of Southern California, is that because the holidays fall midweek and they cover an extended time frame, traffic tie-ups shouldn’t be as severe as those of other holidays.

“Luckily this is a holiday where the travel period is more spread out so you’re not having as much of a risk of traffic jams that you would have on a three-day holiday,” said the Auto Club’s Marie Montgomery. “But of course anytime you’re heading to Vegas, you can expect to get caught up in a big backup so the earlier you leave for your trip the better off you’ll be.”

According to the Auto Club, nearly 10 million Southern California residents will travel 50 miles or more from home between Saturday and Jan. 1. That’s a 3.5% increase compared to last year and 6.8% higher than the pre-pandemic holiday season in 2019. Of those Southern California residents leaving home, 899,000 will be flying, the Auto Club said.

Working in motorists’ favor, Montgomery said, is that work commute times during the holiday period tend to be lighter, and of those expected to be driving, some will be headed out of town for New Year’s but not for Christmas, so the traffic volumes will be more dispersed.

Still, traffic delays will be inevitable, especially so on the weekends before Christmas Day and New Year’s. And the single worst day to travel? It’s this Sunday, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights that works with AAA on its forecasts.

“Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute.” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.

For the San Diego metro area, INRIX identified the single most congested route over the holiday period. It applies specifically to those heading to Palm Springs via Interstate 15 early Friday evening. Motorists can expect a driving time of 3 hours and 7 minutes, which is 35% longer than on a typical day, INRIX says.

The second worst traffic jam over the holidays is expected to be the return trip to San Diego from Palm Springs on the evening of Jan. 1, Montgomery said.

And best times to hit the road? AAA says traffic congestion should be minimal on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

That also applies to those heading to the San Diego International Airport for their holiday getaways, said airport spokesperson Nicole Hall. Record numbers are expected as well for the airport, which calculates passenger counts over a slightly longer period — 18 days, starting Thursday and ending Jan. 5.

In all, airport officials are forecasting that as many as 1.3 million people will fly in and out of the airport over the 18 days. The busiest times at the airport are expected to be Friday through Monday; Dec. 26-29; and Jan. 2-5. During those specific travel periods, the airport anticipates as many as 80,000 people arriving and departing daily, Hall said.

The forecast easily eclipses passenger volumes during the same period in 2019 and represents a roughly 5% increase over the number of travelers a year ago.

Given the expected traffic delays and continued construction on Terminal 1, airport officials are offering the following tips:

Make parking reservations in advance. Nearly 5,000 covered parking spaces are available at the airport’s Terminal 1 and 2 Parking Plazas. Parking and curbside valet reservations can be made on the airport’s website. Book now and save 20% with the promo code HOLIDAYS. The promotion is available for a limited time.

Be prepared for potential delays on west and eastbound N. Harbor Drive due to potential slow-moving construction vehicles.

Arrive early because of expected traffic congestion due to construction. Busiest times curbside are 4 a.m. to 6:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.

The airport operates a free electric shuttle known as the San Diego Flyer, which runs between the Old Town Transit Station and the airport. The buses operate seven days a week, with an average arrival time of every 20 to 30 minutes. The first pickup is at 4:45 a.m. and the last pickup/drop off is at 12:30 a.m.

In addition to holiday-related delays, there’s always the possibility flights could be delayed to unforeseen weather conditions. On Wednesday, close to 200 flights were delayed and 56 others were canceled, mostly due to heavy fog that arrived late afternoon.