AAA: Record 72.2 Million Americans Expected to Travel Domestically July 4th Week, Central Florida Top Destination

By AAA // June 27, 2025

Independence Day trips are up 2.4% over last year; road trips and flights setting new records



WATCH: Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director Peter Cranis visited the Space Coast Daily TV studios on Friday to provide an update on the tourism industry and the rapid growth it is bringing to Brevard County. The Tourism Development Office is here to support you and your tourism-related business.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (AAA) – AAA projects 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6, and Central Florida is the top domestic destination.

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 now includes two weekends instead of one, better reflecting the flow of holiday travelers.

“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 Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “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.”

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 such as dead batteries and flat tires, as well as people locking themselves out of their cars or running out of gas.

Drivers are seeing some increases at the pump, but summer gas prices are still the lowest they’ve been since 2021. This year, the cost of crude oil has kept gas prices on the lower side.

The Israel-Iran conflict has driven up the price of oil in recent days, but not dramatically. Escalation and duration of the conflict are two factors to watch. Weather is also a 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 impact oil refineries and disrupt fuel deliveries, resulting in 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 roundtrip 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 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 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 primary motivators for travelers visiting these cities.

Alaska cruises are in peak season, while Florida and Hawaii are in high demand for their resorts and attractions. 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 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

SOURCE: INRIX

City Trip Type From To Road Day Time Atlanta Departing Atlanta Birmingham I-20 W Sun. 29th 12:15 PM Returning Savannah Atlanta I-16 W Sun. 6th 2:30 PM Boston Departing Boston Hyannis Route 3 S Sat. 28th 10:45 AM Returning Hyannis Boston Route 3 N Sat. 5th 11:45 AM Chicago Departing Chicago Indianapolis I-65 S Wed. 2nd 6:00 PM Returning Milwaukee Chicago I-94 E Sun. 6th 2:30 PM Denver Departing Denver Fort Collins I-25 N Mon. 30th 1:45 PM Returning Fort Collins Denver I-25 S Sat. 5th 6:30 PM Detroit Departing Detroit Toronto I-94 E Thu. 3rd 3:00 PM Returning Grand Rapids Detroit I-96 E Sat. 5th 1:30 PM Houston Departing Houston Galveston I-45 S Sat. 28th 11:15 AM Returning Galveston Houston I-45 N Sun. 6th 11:45 AM Los Angeles Departing Los Angeles San Diego I-5 S Sat. 28th 5:00 PM Returning Las Vegas Los Angeles I-15 S Sun. 6th 5:00 PM Minneapolis Departing Minneapolis Eau Claire I-94 E Sun. 29th 2:00 PM Returning Eau Claire Minneapolis I-94 W Sun. 6th 3:45 PM New York Departing New York Jersey Shore Garden State Pkwy S Tue. 1st 4:30 PM Returning Albany New York I-87 S Sun. 6th 4:15 PM Philadelphia Departing Philadelphia Rehoboth Beach I-95 & Route 13 Sat. 28th 10:45 AM Returning Poconos Philadelphia I-76/I-476 PA Tpke Sun. 6th 1:15 PM Portland Departing Portland Eugene I-5 S Wed. 2nd 5:00 PM Returning Eugene Portland I-5 N Sun. 6th 4:45 PM San Diego Departing San Diego Palm Springs I-15 N Wed. 2nd 5:45 PM Returning Palm Springs San Diego I-15 S Sat. 5th 3:00 PM San Francisco Departing San Francisco Sacramento I-80 E Wed. 2nd 5:30 PM Returning Sacramento San Francisco I-80 W Sun. 6th 4:30 PM Seattle Departing Seattle Ocean Shores I-5 S Wed. 2nd 5:45 PM Returning Ellensburg Seattle I-90 E Sun. 6th 4:30 PM Tampa Departing Tampa Orlando I-4 E Wed. 2nd 2:30 PM Returning Orlando Tampa I-4 W Fri. 4th 3:45 PM Washington, DC Departing Washington, DC Annapolis US-50 E Sat. 28th 1:45 PM Returning Annapolis Washington, DC US-50 W Fri. 4th 11:30 AM

SOURCE: INRIX

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 predict 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 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 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 days 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.

About AAA: Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA delivers exceptional roadside assistance, helps travelers plan their dream vacations and adventures, offers exclusive member discounts and benefits, and provides trusted financial and insurance services – all to enhance the life journey of our 65+ million members across North America, including nearly 58 million in the United States.

To learn more about all AAA offers or become a member, visit AAA.com.

AAA projects 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home over the July Fourth holiday period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6, according to a report. That’s an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year and 7 million more than in 2019.

AAA projects 61.6 million people will travel by car, a 2.2% increase over last year, and the highest volume on record according to the report. The Independence Day holiday period is expected to see an additional 1.3 million road travelers compared to 2024.

The company said that some of the top destinations based on advanced rental car bookings are also on AAA’s list of most popular places to visit over July 4, including Orlando, Florida; Denver; Boston; Oahu, Hawaii; and Seattle.

“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 Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “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.”

Also highlighted in the report, INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6 to be the busiest days on the road, with afternoon hours having the most travelers.

Retailers along key travel routes are building unique experiences to make their stores a memorable piece of customers’ journeys. Read more about how c-stores can be road trip destinations in “Worth the Road Trip!” in the May 2025 issue of NACS Magazine.

For the upcoming Independence Day holidays, the American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasts a record-setting 72.2 million domestic travellers between 28 June and 6 July. This surge marks a 2.4% increase in comparison to last year, making it one of the busiest travel periods outside of the winter holidays.

“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and the 4th of July is one of the most popular times to get away,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “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, travellers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.”

Traveling for the 4th? You’re not alone. We’re projecting more than 72 million travelers this holiday — the most ever for 4th of July weekend.

Don’t forget to check out our best and worst times to hit the road if you want to avoid traffic. Pro tip: leave early! pic.twitter.com/4elONeGQCe — AAA Colorado (@AAAColorado) June 24, 2025

While driving will once again be the preferred method of transport, with an estimated 61.1 million car travellers, a record-breaking 5.84 million people are projected to fly for the holiday. On 22 June, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported this was its busiest day ever, with almost 3.1 million travellers. The TSA also noted that 6 July is expected to be the busiest day ever during the holiday period.

This year, the Fourth of July is on Friday, making it part of a long weekend, offering an ideal opportunity for a summer holiday. “It’s been almost a decade since travellers have had a ‘Fourth of July Friday,’ meaning they are likely taking full advantage of the long weekend to build out longer trips,” said Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going.

Moreover, those travelling by car should begin their journey early in the morning to escape traffic and have a seamless journey. According to Inrix, a company providing transportation data and analytics, in the best-case scenario, travellers will depart their homes before noon, as the company projects that the times with the most congestion are the afternoons and early evenings.

© Inrix | AAA

Travellers are choosing their Independence Day destinations based on their desire for cruises, beaches, and fireworks, as indicated by AAA’s booking data. This leads to strong demand for Alaska cruises during their peak season, as well as for resorts and attractions in Florida and Hawaii. Cities like New York and Boston are popular for their nationally recognised fireworks displays. Internationally, Vancouver is the leading destination, closely followed by key European cities that are in high demand during the summer months.

Top 4 July domestic destinations:

Orlando, Florida Seattle New York Anchorage, Alaska Fort Lauderdale, Florida Honolulu Denver Miami Boston Atlanta

Top 4 July international destinations: