Holiday weekend travel outlook
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Increase In July 4 Travelers Predicted In VA: See Best, Worst Travel Times
AAA predicts that 2.1 million Virginians will travel 50 miles or more during the July 4 travel period. The majority of the travelers reflected in AAA’s prediction for Virginia will travel by car. AAA says the average roundtrip domestic flight price of $810 is 4 percent more expensive than last year’s holiday. Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6 could be the busiest travel days on the roads, according to transportation analyst INRIX. The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to suspend most highway zones and lift temporary lane closures from noon on Thursday to noon on Monday, July 3 and July 7. The average gas price in Virginia is $3.13, up from $2.97 a month ago but below $ 3.33 a year ago. The best and worst travel times by day are: Monday, June 30: Worst time from 2 p.m. to 6 p. m., best time before 12 p.M. Tuesday, July 1: Best time from 3 p. M to 6 P.M.,best time before 2 P. M. Thursday, July 5: Worsttime from 11 a.m to 5 P.m., besttime before 11 p.S. Sunday July 6: Worst times from
The number of July 4 travelers in Virginia is expected to increase, according to AAA’s holiday travel forecast. (Shutterstock)
Northern Virginia residents can expect busier roads and airports during the extended Independence Day holiday weekend.
AAA is predicting that 2.1 million Virginians will travel 50 miles or more during the July 4 travel period. That represents a 2 percent increase from the 2.08 million recorded during last year’s holiday. Across the U.S., AAA is predicting 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles, up from 70.5 million in 2024 and above the pre-pandemic level of 65.2 million recorded in 2019. The travel forecast represents the Independence Day holiday period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.
“While economic uncertainties continue to be on the minds of many Americans, those concerns do not seem to be hindering travel,” said Morgan Dean, the AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson in Virginia. “Americans are continuing to make travel a priority and Independence Day is no exception.” The majority of the travelers reflected in AAA’s prediction for Virginia will travel by car. The 1.88 million expected to hit the roads would be a 2 percent increase from 1.85 million last year. For those renting vehicles, AAA’s car rental partner Hertz expects July 3 to be the busiest day for vehicle pick-ups.
Related: When To Cross MD Bay Bridge On July 4 Weekend 2025 Travelers will see relief at the gas pump during the Independence Day holiday. According to AAA, summer gas prices are at the lowest level since 2021, as crude oil prices have kept costs down. The average price in Virginia is $3.13, up from $2.97 a month ago but below $3.33 a year ago. Northern Virginia’s average is $3.22, up from $3.04 a month ago and below $3.44 last year. AAA anticipates 147,122 Virginians to travel by plane, which would be similar to 2024. TSA expects to screen more than 18.5 million passengers nationwide from Tuesday, July 1 to Monday, July 7. The busiest day at airports, with about 2.9 million travelers, is predicted on Sunday, July 6.
AAA says the average roundtrip domestic flight price of $810 is 4 percent more expensive than last year’s holiday. Travelers seeking last-minute flights should look to weekdays like Tuesday and Wednesday for the best prices. Travel by other methods of transportation like buses, cruises and trains could increase from 86,599 to 91,565 in Virginia. AAA says the popularity of cruises drives the predicted number.
Best, Worst Times to Travel According to transportation analyst INRIX, Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6 could be the busiest travel days on the roads. Afternoon hours could be the most congested, which is why the analyst recommends driving in the morning to avoid the worst traffic. However, crashes, construction and severe weather could still cause delays. The best and worst travel times by day are: Monday, June 30: Worst time from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., best time before 12 p.m.
Tuesday, July 1: Worst time from 3 p.m .to 6 p.m., best time before 2 p.m.
Wednesday, July 2: Worst time from 12 p.m. to. 9 p.m., best time before 12 p.m.
Thursday, July 3: Worst time from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., best time before 12 p.m.
Friday, July 4: Worst time from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., best time before 12 p.m.
Saturday, July 5: Worst time from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., best time before 11 a.m.
Sunday, July 6: Worst time from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., best time before 11 a.m. The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to suspend most highway work zones and lift temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Thursday, July 3 to noon on Monday, July 7. While VDOT did not predict when the worst times for traffic congestion will be this July 4 holiday, it has a travel trends map with historical information on major roadways. Drivers can check real-time traffic information by calling 511 within Virginia or visiting 511.vdot.virginia.gov.
Travelers headed to Virginia Beach and North Carolina’s Outer Banks are encouraged to use the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel as an alternative to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel during construction. For those traveling to the beaches on Maryland’s Bay Bridge, the Maryland Transportation Authority is expecting heavy traffic volumes from Wednesday, July 2, through Monday, July 7 The best times to travel on the Bay Bridge, according to MDTA, are: Eastbound Wednesday, July 2: before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 3: before 7 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
Friday, July 4: before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 5: before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 6: before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Monday, July 7: before 12 p.m. and after 7 p.m. Westbound
Memorial Day weekend travel forecast: What you need to know
AAA forecasts more than 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 22, and Monday, May 26. This marks the first holiday since the REAL ID requirement for domestic flights went into effect on May 7. Friday is expected to be the busiest day for United, with 550,000 passengers expected. The top domestic destinations are Orlando, Florida; Seattle; New York City; Las Vegas; Miami; and San Francisco. The most expensive destination is Hawaii, according to Expedia. The biggest demand, based on bookings during the holiday weekend, is for small SUVs, midsize sedans and midsize SUVs. The best time to drive on Friday is before 11 a.m., according to analytics company INRIX. The worst time on the road on Monday will be between 4 p.m. and 7 p. m., INriX said. The average round-trip ticket to Hawaii is $850.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways
A record number of Americans are gearing up to head to the airport or hit the highway for the first long weekend of the summer.
AAA forecasts more than 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 22, and Monday, May 26, which would break the Memorial Day weekend travel record set in 2005.
Here’s what you need to know:
Road travel
AAA forecasts 39.4 million people will travel by car over the long weekend.
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If you’re heading out on Friday, the best time to drive is before 11 a.m., according to analytics company INRIX.
On Monday, INRIX recommends heading home before 2 p.m. The worst time on the road on Monday will be between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., INRIX said.
Air travel
AAA anticipates 3.61 million people will travel by plane — a nearly 2% jump from last year.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it expects record travel, with flights peaking on Thursday, May 22, at nearly 54,000. The second-busiest day will be Friday with over 51,000 flights.
The Transportation Security Administration says it anticipates screening some 18 million passengers and crew between May 22 and May 28.
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U.S. flights are 2% more expensive this year than they were in 2024, with the average round-trip ticket costing $850, according to AAA.
American Airlines said it’s expecting the highest number of passengers on Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23, with 6,741 departures on each of those days.
United is expecting 3.8 million people to fly between May 22 and 28, an increase of 300,000 from last year, according to the airline. Friday is expected to be the busiest day for United, with 550,000 passengers expected.
PHOTO: Passengers go through a security checkpoint at O’Hare International Airport on May 07, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
MORE: United extends free ticket changes amid Newark airport delays, cancellations
The top domestic destinations are Orlando, Florida; Seattle; New York City; Las Vegas; Miami; and San Francisco, according to AAA. The top international cities are Rome; Vancouver, Canada; Paris; and London.
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The most expensive destination is Hawaii, according to Expedia. Some cities with the most affordable hotels are Kissimmee, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida; Louisville, Kentucky; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Houston; Minneapolis; and Fort Worth, Texas, Expedia said.
When it comes to car rentals, Hertz said the biggest demand, based on bookings during the holiday weekend, is for small SUVs, midsize sedans and midsize SUVs. Cities seeing the highest demand for rental cars include Orlando, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami and Seattle, according to Hertz.
MORE: Real ID goes into effect: Here are the requirements
This marks the first holiday since the REAL ID requirement for domestic flights went into effect on May 7. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told a congressional panel on May 6 that travelers who haven’t yet obtained a REAL ID will still be able to fly, but will be subject to an additional screening process.
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TSA said since the implementation of the REAL ID requirements, 93% of passengers have been presenting either a REAL ID or another compliant document at security checkpoints.
Memorial Day weekend also comes on the heels of ongoing delays at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport due to multiple technical problems, runway construction and staffing shortages.
Memorial Day weekend travel forecast: What you need to know originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Here is the RTC travel forecast for the Fourth of July weekend
More than 450,000 travelers expected to arrive at Harry Reid International Airport this coming weekend. The actual holiday on July 4 won’t be the busiest, according to RTC. RTC recommends that travelers don’t drive during peak daytime hours. It’s going to be a hot start to July — with Friday (the 4th) showing temperatures up to 101 degrees.
Locals may already know that traveler numbers spike during the Fourth of July weekend in Las Vegas. With commuters coming to and from California and more than 450,000 travelers expected to arrive at Harry Reid International Airport this coming weekend, more cars will be on the road.
The actual holiday on July 4 won’t be the busiest, according to RTC. They’re advising travelers to avoid southbound Interstate 15 at the Nevada-California state line between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. Heavy delays and congestion are expected.
If you commute by bus, RTC will be running on a Saturday schedule for Friday, July 4.
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Combined with the traffic headaches will also be some triple digit temperatures. It’s going to be a hot start to July — with Friday (the 4th) showing temperatures up to 101 degrees, Saturday 103 degrees, and Sunday 104 degrees.
RTC recommends that travelers don’t drive during peak daytime hours when the temperatures are highest.
WATCH | Weather forecast for the week ahead with Linh Truong
Hot Start to July
More resources to help your travel plans
Summer travel forecast to shatter records for Fourth of July — here’s how many Americans will be on the move
The American Automobile Association predicts that a record number of Americans will travel across the country over the July 4th holiday week. 72.2 million people will reportedly journey at least 50 miles from home — an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year. The number of air travelers is also “projected to set a new record,” per the autoclub, which expects that 5.84 million travelers will jet to their destinations. The top three domestic destinations are Orlando (FL), Seattle (WA), New York, (NY) while internationally the most US travelers are flocking to Vancouver (Canada), Rome (Italy) and Paris (France)
The American Automobile Association predicts that a record number of Americans will travel across the country over the July 4th holiday week from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.
During that period, 72.2 million people will reportedly journey at least 50 miles from home — an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than in 2019, per the forecast.
“Following Memorial Day’s record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel.
“The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer,” said Kristie Jordan Smith, a TSA official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) milanmarkovic78 – stock.adobe.com
Indeed, a record 62 million travelers will be commuting by car over Independence Day weekend, marking an uptick of 1.3 million from last year.
Meanwhile, the number of air travelers is also “projected to set a new record,” per the autoclub, which expects that 5.84 million travelers will jet to their destinations — 8% of all July 4 travelers.
That marks a 1.4% increase over the previous record of 5.76 million during Independence Day week of last year.
Coney Island beach in New York, which is the third biggest July 4 destination this year, according to AAA booking data. Stock fresh – stock.adobe.com
According to AAA booking data for the July 4 travel period, the top three domestic destinations are Orlando (FL), Seattle (WA), New York, (NY) while internationally the most US travelers are flocking to Vancouver (Canada), Rome (Italy) and Paris (France).
“Cruises, beaches, and fireworks are the main motivators for travelers heading to these cities,” AAA writes. “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.”
AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz claimed that the expected travel surge is as much an “emotional decision” as it is a practical or economic one.
“People don’t have to spend a lot of money when they go on these trips, but people want to get away and not be home,” she said.
The Transportation Security Administration is bracing for the tournami. “The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer,” said Kristie Jordan Smith, a TSA official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), CBS reported.
Airport officials are hoping to curb the congestion by implementing facial recognition technology.
Customs officials claim that wait times are already down 25% thanks to this expeditious tech, which is now operational at nine flight hubs across the country.
Record number of Americans to travel July Fourth weekend, but roads may be less congested
Record number of Americans expected to travel this week, but roads may be less congested. More than 72 million Americans are forecast to travel, according to AAA. Tuesday was expected to be the busiest day of the holiday period on the nation’s roads. AAA says 61.6 million travelers will get to their destination by personal vehicles.“There are going to be backups on any day that ends in a ‘y,’ but overall, traffic levels are lower in the days before the holiday weekends now,” WTOP Traffic Reporter Dave Dildine said. “The problem with the term getaway is that it conjures the image of a phenomenon that hasn’t much existed for a long time.”
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In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker. Record number of Americans expected to travel this week, but roads may be less congested
The roads, airports and train stations will be busy Fourth of July holiday weekend, as more than 72 million Americans are forecast to travel, according to AAA.
Tuesday was expected to be the busiest day of the holiday period on the nation’s roads.
The automotive club and insurance agency said its domestic travel forecast is up 1.7 million travelers compared to 2024 figures, and 7 million more than in 2019, before the pandemic.
AAA’s Independence Day forecast includes two weekends instead of one to better reflect the flow of holiday travelers. AAA says 61.6 million travelers will get to their destination by personal vehicles.
But a transportation expert said he believes travel trends are changing, and it looks like the nation’s roads and highways, while busy, may not be as congested as they have been in past years.
WTOP Traffic Reporter Dave Dildine said there is a reason more people are traveling, and more people are on the road earlier in the week. In some cases, people travel weeks before officially being on vacation.
This year, Independence Day also falls on a Friday, making it natural for a long, extended weekend. Plus, the nature of work has changed and with more people working remotely, people have more options.
“The concept of a getaway has shifted from a heavy travel period immediately preceding the holiday to a more spread-out traffic flow,” Dildine said. “The problem with the term getaway is that it conjures the image of a phenomenon that hasn’t much existed for a long time. So, we’ve ended up with a diffuse, heavy travel period over days or weeks.”
While AAA said the majority of Americans traveling — almost 62 million — will make a journey by car, Dildine said the days of the last minute, last day holiday rush may be ending. That huge number, Dildine said, doesn’t mean there will be widespread gridlock.
“There are going to be backups on any day that ends in a ‘y,’ but overall, traffic levels are lower in the days before the holiday weekends now,” Dildine said.
AAA said when it comes to fuel prices, motorists will see significantly lower prices this Independence Day with unleaded gas averaging $3.19 a gallon, about 34 cents less than this time a year ago.
The 2025 projection for air travelers is a 1.4% increase over the previous record set last Independence Day week, which sat at 5.76 million air travelers.
AAA data also shows airline tickets are slightly more expensive than last year, with the average round-trip ticket now $810, 4% more than 2024.
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Source: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/123497085