Fourth of July travel expected to break records, AAA says
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Fourth of July holiday travel week could be record-breaking
Nearly 62 million Americans will be hitting the roads for the weekend, which will be a new record. AAA said North Carolinians represent 2.3 million of those traveling — that’s an increase of 80,000 travelers. Severe storms are complicating travel plans going into the holiday week. Heavy rains, strong winds and even hail forced several ground stops around the country Saturday.Flight Aware is reporting thousands of delays and cancellations as a result of the storms. The best time to head out on the road is in the early mornings. Right now, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.19. That’s 26 cents higher than the average price for fuel here in North Carolina.
AAA predictions for Fourth of July travel weekendWe are less than a week away from Independence Day and more than 70 million people are expected to travel for the holiday, according to AAA.Nearly 62 million Americans will be hitting the roads for the weekend, which will be a new record. AAA said North Carolinians represent 2.3 million of those traveling — that’s an increase of 80,000 travelers.AAA anticipates the busiest days to drive will be between July 2 and July 6, with the heaviest traffic in the afternoons and evenings. They recommend the best time to head out on the road is in the early mornings.Gas prices — what to expectGood news for those driving: AAA reports that gas prices are at their lowest in four years. Right now, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.19. That’s 26 cents higher than the average price for fuel here in North Carolina.Flight delays due to weather — what to expect If you plan on flying, you might want to pack your patience. Severe storms are complicating travel plans going into the holiday week. Heavy rains, strong winds and even hail forced several ground stops around the country Saturday.Flight Aware is reporting thousands of delays and cancellations as a result.You can track delays and cancellations here.
AAA predictions for Fourth of July travel weekend
We are less than a week away from Independence Day and more than 70 million people are expected to travel for the holiday, according to AAA.
Advertisement
Nearly 62 million Americans will be hitting the roads for the weekend, which will be a new record. AAA said North Carolinians represent 2.3 million of those traveling — that’s an increase of 80,000 travelers.
AAA anticipates the busiest days to drive will be between July 2 and July 6, with the heaviest traffic in the afternoons and evenings. They recommend the best time to head out on the road is in the early mornings.
Gas prices — what to expect
Good news for those driving: AAA reports that gas prices are at their lowest in four years. Right now, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.19. That’s 26 cents higher than the average price for fuel here in North Carolina.
Flight delays due to weather — what to expect
If you plan on flying, you might want to pack your patience.
Severe storms are complicating travel plans going into the holiday week. Heavy rains, strong winds and even hail forced several ground stops around the country Saturday.
Flight Aware is reporting thousands of delays and cancellations as a result.
You can track delays and cancellations here.
Travel for 4th of July weekend anticipated to hit record-breaking numbers
AAA says a record-setting 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday period. The holiday travel period runs through next Sunday, July 6. If you happen to have a real ID, it’s a faster process to get through the TSA checkpoint, according to TSA officials. The top destinations in the U.S. include Orlando, Seattle, and New York City.
Saturday, June 28, kicked off the July 4th holiday period and it will be a busy one for travel!
AAA says a record-setting 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday period.
“It’s been very easy so far. I think I’m ahead of the big rush. I know it’s coming. That’s why I thought, I’ll go Sunday rather than wait till Monday or Tuesday,” said Denise Taylor, a traveler.
Remember, if you happen to have a real ID, it’s a faster process to get through the TSA checkpoint, according to TSA officials.
“You still can make it through and fly; we’re just going to give you extra screening,” said Jessica Mayle, a TSA regional spokesperson.
The holiday travel period runs through next Sunday, July 6.
AAA predicts nearly 62 million Americans will be hitting the road, which will also be a new record. They say the top destinations in the U.S. include Orlando, Seattle, and New York City.
“I’m going to Dallas, Texas, and then Houston. We weren’t planning on going; it was just random,” said Inara Harstad, a traveler.
Nearly six million Americans are projected to fly the friendly skies, making it another new record. As for other options, AAA says nearly five million people will travel by bus, train, or take a cruise over the holiday.
The top international destinations include Vancouver, Canada, Rome, and Paris.
Copyright 2025 KVLY. All rights reserved.
AAA: Record 72.2 Million Americans Expected to Travel Domestically July 4th Week
AAA projects 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Independence Day holiday period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6. This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than in 2019. AAA recommends getting routine vehicle maintenance ahead of your trip and packing an emergency kit. Thursday, July 3rd is expected to be the busiest day to pick up vehicles. Orlando, Denver, Boston, Oahu, and Seattle are among the most popular places to visit over July 4th. The top holiday destinations listed below are based on AAA’S booking data for Independence Day travel period for the U.S., Europe, and Canada. The number of people traveling by air is also projected to set a new record, AAA expects 5.84 million travelers will fly to their destinations. A round-trip domestic flight is averaging $810, 4% more expensive than last year. When booking last-minute flights for summer trips, consider flying on weekdays like Tuesdays or Wednesday for the best deals.
This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than in 2019. AAA’s Independence Day forecast includes two weekends instead of one to better reflect the flow of holiday travelers.
“We’ve been seeing record-breaking travel numbers consistently over the past year and the July 4th holiday is no exception,” said Jim Garrity, director of public affairs, AAA East Central. “The summer months are the most popular time for those memory-making trips with family and friends, and AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week.”
Method of Travel Total Travelers Increase from 2024 Automobile 8.2 million 1.8% Air travel 938,000 2.7% Other (bus, train, ship, etc.) 757,000 7.6% Region Total 9.9 million 2.3%
Independence Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation
By Car: AAA projects 61.6 million people will travel by car, a 2.2% increase over last year, and the highest volume on record. This Independence Day holiday period is expected to see an additional 1.3 million road travelers compared to 2024. AAA recommends getting 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 like dead batteries and flat tires, plus people locking themselves out of their car or running out of gas.
Drivers are getting a slight break at the pump with summer gas prices the lowest they’ve been since 2021. Despite tensions in the Middle East, the price of crude oil has kept gas prices on the lower side, and drivers are paying about 22 cents less a gallon than they were this time last year. Weather is the other wild card. The Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and NOAA predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season. Storms along the Gulf Coast can affect oil refineries and disrupt fuel deliveries, leading to a temporary increase in gas prices.
For travelers who are renting cars, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Thursday, July 3rd is expected to be the busiest day to pick up vehicles. Some of the top destinations based on advanced bookings are also on AAA’s list of most popular places to visit over July 4th: Orlando, Denver, Boston, Oahu, and Seattle. Hertz says most drivers are looking to rent SUVs and midsize sedans.
AAA Trip Canvas Inspiration: Pack up the car and take a road trip to one of the 10 Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer.
By Air: The number of people traveling by air is also projected to set a new record. AAA expects 5.84 million travelers will fly to their destinations; that’s 8% of all Independence Day travelers. This year’s projection is a 1.4% increase over the previous record set last Independence Day week of 5.76 million air travelers.
According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their July 4th trips, a round-trip domestic flight is averaging $810, 4% more expensive than last year. When booking last-minute flights for summer trips, consider flying on weekdays like Tuesdays or Wednesdays for the best deals.
AAA Trip Canvas Inspiration: Still debating where to take the kids this summer? Check out 17 Best Vacation Spots for Families.
By Other Modes: Travel by other modes is expected to grow by 7.4% over the last year. AAA projects 4.78 million people will travel by bus, train, or cruise. This year’s number is just shy of the 2019 record of 4.79 million. Cruising is driving the popularity of this category, particularly this time of year, when the Alaska cruise season is in full swing.
AAA Trip Canvas Inspiration: Missed the boat this summer? Start planning now for your Alaska cruise next year! Here are the 9 Best Alaska Cruises for Every Traveler.
AAA’s Top Independence Day Destinations
The top holiday destinations listed below 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 followed by Europe’s most in-demand cities during the summer.
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
Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro
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 that construction, crashes, or severe weather could impact travel times. Watch for stopped vehicles and Slow Down, Move Over for emergency responders.
Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located. For example, Atlanta routes = ET and Los Angeles routes = PT.
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
Holiday Forecast Methodology
Travel Forecast
In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices, including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators, and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel, and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.
Historical travel volume estimates come from MMGY’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM. The PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. MMGY contacts over 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends, forecast U.S. travel behavior, and position the brand, all after the trips have been taken.
The travel forecast is reported in person-trips. In particular, AAA and SPGMI forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was prepared for the week of May 19, 2025.
Because AAA holiday forecasts focus on domestic leisure travel only, comparisons to TSA passenger screening numbers should not be made. TSA data includes all passengers traveling on both domestic and international routes, whether traveling for work or leisure. Additionally, TSA screens passengers each time they enter secured areas of the airport; therefore, each one-way trip is counted as a passenger tally. AAA focuses on person-trips, which include the full round-trip travel itinerary. As a result, direct comparisons of AAA forecast volumes and daily TSA screenings represent different factors.
Independence Day Holiday Travel Period
The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as the nine-day period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6. Historically, this holiday period included only one weekend. The expanded travel window was instituted starting in 2024 with historical results calculated back to 2019 using the new nine-day period.
Record-breaking Fourth of July travel expected.
AAA projects a record 72 million Americans will travel for Fourth of July, with Oklahoma drivers urged to plan ahead for traffic and construction. Of those travelers, 62 million are expected to hit the roads, up by 1.3 million from last year. All lanes of I-35 near Thackerville will be open for the holiday week, but in Norman, traffic will be slower.
By: Graham Dowers
–
The Fourth of July holiday travel rush is underway, and transportation officials say this year is set to break records.
AAA projects more than 72 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more over the nine-day travel period, setting new highs for both road trips and air travel as summer reaches its peak. Of those travelers, 62 million are expected to hit the roads, up by 1.3 million from last year.
TSA is reminding air passengers to bring their REAL ID, which will soon be required for all domestic flights.
“We still have a few that fly that are not [REAL ID holders], Stacie Hamm, Will Rogers International Airport Public Information Officer, said. “So we are taking them outside of their line, and they get an extra verification.”
>> When and where can I get a REAL ID in Oklahoma?
Here in Oklahoma, the State Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to plan ahead and pack their patience, especially when driving through construction zones.
Holiday travelers to see mixed traffic conditions on Oklahoma highways
There’s some good news for those headed south. All lanes of I-35 near Thackerville will be open for the holiday week. But in Norman, traffic will be slower: State Highway 9 is reduced to one lane in each direction at I-35 due to an ongoing interchange project.
On the Kilpatrick Turnpike, shoulders will be closed between I-35 and Eastern Avenue for a widening project. However, two lanes will remain open in both directions.
Travelers are encouraged to check for road closures and traffic delays by downloading the Drive Oklahoma app before heading out.
Record-breaking Fourth of July travel expected as 4.6 million Floridians hit the road
AAA projects a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans will travel domestically during this year’s expanded Independence Day holiday period. Florida travel is expected to reach historic levels, with nearly 4.6 million Floridians hitting the road, skies, and rails. Orlando remains the No. 1 U.S. destination for July 4th travel, followed by Vancouver, Rome, and Paris. For those driving, AAA recommends traveling in the early morning to avoid peak congestion, particularly during afternoon and early evening hours of July 2 and July 6. AAA also encourages travelers to consider travel insurance, especially for flight delays or last-minute cancellations. For more holiday travel information, visit AAA.com/travel or call 1-800-273-8255. For the latest travel news on CNN.com, visit the CNN iReport news page.
OCALA, FL (352today.com) — If it feels like everyone you know is heading out of town for the Fourth of July, you’re not wrong. AAA projects a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans will travel domestically during this year’s expanded Independence Day holiday period from Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, July 6. That’s 1.7 million more travelers than last year and a staggering 7 million more than in 2019.
Here in Florida, nearly 4.6 million residents are expected to travel, up 3% over last year’s numbers, setting a new holiday travel record for the Sunshine State.
How Floridians Are Traveling
Florida travel is expected to reach historic levels, with nearly 4.6 million Floridians hitting the road, skies, and rails – that’s up 146,000 (3%) from last year.
Florida Independence Day Travelers Auto Air Other Total 2025 4 million 329,762 203,629 4.6 million 2024 3.9 million 325,471 188,809 4.4 million 2019 3.5 million 277,394 191,039 3.9 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.”
Top Destinations and Best Times to Hit the Road
AAA’s booking data shows Orlando remains the No. 1 U.S. destination for July 4th travel. Other Florida hot spots like Fort Lauderdale and Miami also made the top 10. Internationally, Vancouver, Rome, and Paris top the list.
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
For those driving, AAA recommends traveling in the early morning to avoid peak congestion. Traffic is expected to be heaviest Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6, particularly during afternoon and early evening hours.
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
AAA also encourages travelers to consider travel insurance, especially for flight delays or last-minute cancellations.
To plan your getaway, check out AAA’s road trip guides, flight deals, and family vacation ideas at AAA.com/travel.
More news that matters to you…
Source: https://www.wfsb.com/video/2025/06/30/fourth-july-travel-expected-break-records-aaa-says-2/