Record 72.2 million Americans expected to travel for July 4th holiday week, AAA reports
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Record 72.2 million Americans expected to travel for July 4th holiday week, AAA reports
AAA projects that 61.6 million people will travel by car, a 2.2% increase over last year. Air travel is also expected to reach new heights, with 5.84 million travelers flying to their destinations. Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, will be the busiest days on the road, with afternoon hours being the most congested. Drivers are advised to travel in the morning to avoid traffic, while remaining cautious of construction, crashes, or severe weather.
“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4th is one of the most popular times to get away,” said Clay Ingram, spokesperson for AAA Alabama. “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.”
AAA projects that 61.6 million people will travel by car, a 2.2% increase over last year, setting a new record for road travel. The organization advises travelers to perform routine vehicle maintenance and pack an emergency kit, as last year saw nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls during the holiday week.
Despite some increases at the pump, summer gas prices remain the lowest since 2021, influenced by the price of crude oil. However, the Israel-Iran conflict and the Atlantic hurricane season could impact prices. AAA’s car rental partner, Hertz, anticipates July 3rd to be the busiest day for vehicle pick-ups, with popular destinations including Orlando, Denver, Boston, Oahu, and Seattle.
Air travel is also expected to reach new heights, with 5.84 million travelers flying to their destinations, an increase of 1.4% over last year’s record. AAA data shows that roundtrip domestic flights are averaging $810, a 4% increase from last year. Travelers are advised to book flights on weekdays like Tuesdays or Wednesdays for better deals.
INRIX, a transportation data provider, predicts that Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, will be the busiest days on the road, with afternoon hours being the most congested. Drivers are encouraged to travel in the morning to avoid traffic, while remaining cautious of construction, crashes, or severe weather that could affect travel times.