Tennessee Travel Hits Historic Levels: Over One Million Expected to Travel During Independence Day 2025

AAA projects that a record 1.6 million Tennesseans will travel during the Independence Day holiday period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6, 2025. This marks a 1.9% increase over last year and highlights a growing demand for travel among Tennessee residents. The overall number of U.S. travelers is also expected to surge, with 72.2 million Americans traveling during the nine-day period, a 2.4% rise from 2024.

AAA projects that a record 1.6 million Tennesseans will travel during the Independence Day holiday period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6, 2025. This marks a 1.9% increase over last year and highlights a growing demand for travel among Tennessee residents. The overall number of U.S. travelers is also expected to surge, with 72.2 million Americans traveling during the nine-day period, a 2.4% rise from 2024.

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According to AAA, the increased travel forecast reflects broader trends in American leisure travel, with more individuals opting for road trips, air travel, and cruises. With Independence Day falling on a Friday, many travelers are looking to extend their getaways and make the most of the extended weekend. AAA’s revised travel forecast now takes into account two weekends, offering a clearer picture of travel patterns and helping to accommodate varied departure schedules.

Tennessee Travel Breakdown

Tennessee’s travel trends show that road trips will continue to be the preferred method of travel for the state’s residents, with nearly 1.5 million people expected to hit the road, an increase of 1.8% from 2024. With Tennessee being centrally located and well-connected to major highways, road trips are particularly popular for families and those seeking to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.

In addition to driving, air travel is also expected to see significant demand. More than 72,000 Tennesseans will fly domestically, which is almost the same number as last year. While air travel may not experience a dramatic increase, it is still an essential part of the travel mix, particularly for long-distance getaways and international connections.

For those opting for alternative modes of transportation, more than 73,000 Tennesseans will travel by bus, train, or cruise. This represents a 5.5% increase compared to last year and is driven by the growing popularity of cruises, particularly in the Alaskan cruise season.

National Travel Trends: Road Trips, Air Travel, and Cruises

Nationally, AAA predicts that 61.6 million Americans will drive to their holiday destinations, a 2.2% increase from last year. This marks the highest number of road travelers ever recorded for the Independence Day period. With so many travelers hitting the road, AAA is urging drivers to prepare their vehicles in advance, as roadside assistance calls are typically high during this time due to issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty gas tanks.

For those planning to fly, air travel in the U.S. is reaching new heights. AAA estimates that 5.84 million Americans will fly domestically, a 1.4% increase from last year’s record. Domestic round-trip flights are expected to average $810, which is a 4% increase from 2024. Last-minute travelers can find better deals by flying midweek, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, according to AAA data.

Meanwhile, nearly 4.78 million Americans are expected to travel by bus, train, or cruise, marking a 7.4% rise over last year. Cruises, particularly those to Alaska, continue to be a major draw for travelers, with many Americans opting for vacation packages that include a combination of sea and land excursions.

Top Destinations for Independence Day Travel

For those traveling from Tennessee and beyond, some of the top destinations for the Independence Day period include both domestic and international locations. According to AAA booking data, Florida is a major draw, with cities like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami topping the list of most popular U.S. destinations. New York and Boston are also in high demand, especially for their spectacular fireworks displays. Additionally, Alaska cruises continue to attract large numbers of travelers, with Anchorage and Juneau seeing significant visitation.

Internationally, Vancouver, Canada, is the most sought-after destination, known for its mild summer weather and combination of urban culture and natural beauty. Cities like Rome, Paris, and London are also in high demand as travelers look to explore Europe’s iconic landmarks and enjoy the continent’s summer charm.

Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car

For those driving in Tennessee and across the country, AAA has provided a detailed guide on the best and worst times to travel by car. According to INRIX data, the worst times for road congestion will occur in the afternoons, particularly on Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6. Drivers should aim to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic and take advantage of lighter travel times.

The following travel times are considered ideal for road trips:

Saturday, June 28: Best travel time before 10:00 AM, avoid 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Sunday, June 29: Best travel time before 11:00 AM, avoid 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Monday, June 30: Best travel time before 12:00 PM, avoid 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday, July 1: Best travel time before 2:00 PM, avoid 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, July 2: Best travel time before 12:00 PM, avoid 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Travelers are also advised to be alert for construction delays, crashes, and weather-related disruptions, as these can cause unexpected delays during the busy holiday period.

Travel Insurance and Last-Minute Booking Tips

AAA encourages travelers to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect their vacation plans. Unexpected disruptions like flight delays, lost luggage, or medical emergencies can turn a dream vacation into a stressful experience. Travel insurance provides peace of mind, ensuring that travelers can make the most of their Independence Day getaway without added concerns.

For those making last-minute travel plans, AAA’s travel advisors can help with booking rental cars, hotels, and flights. Whether you’re planning a road trip, a relaxing beach vacation, or an adventure abroad, AAA offers expert guidance to help create a memorable holiday experience.

As millions of Americans, including 1.6 million Tennesseans, take to the roads, skies, and seas this Independence Day, AAA’s travel forecast highlights a strong demand for travel, with Tennesseans leading the way in this historic travel surge.

According to AAA, the increased travel forecast reflects broader trends in American leisure travel, with more individuals opting for road trips, air travel, and cruises. With Independence Day falling on a Friday, many travelers are looking to extend their getaways and make the most of the extended weekend. AAA’s revised travel forecast now takes into account two weekends, offering a clearer picture of travel patterns and helping to accommodate varied departure schedules.

Tennessee Travel Breakdown

Tennessee’s travel trends show that road trips will continue to be the preferred method of travel for the state’s residents, with nearly 1.5 million people expected to hit the road, an increase of 1.8% from 2024. With Tennessee being centrally located and well-connected to major highways, road trips are particularly popular for families and those seeking to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.

In addition to driving, air travel is also expected to see significant demand. More than 72,000 Tennesseans will fly domestically, which is almost the same number as last year. While air travel may not experience a dramatic increase, it is still an essential part of the travel mix, particularly for long-distance getaways and international connections.

For those opting for alternative modes of transportation, more than 73,000 Tennesseans will travel by bus, train, or cruise. This represents a 5.5% increase compared to last year and is driven by the growing popularity of cruises, particularly in the Alaskan cruise season.

National Travel Trends: Road Trips, Air Travel, and Cruises

Nationally, AAA predicts that 61.6 million Americans will drive to their holiday destinations, a 2.2% increase from last year. This marks the highest number of road travelers ever recorded for the Independence Day period. With so many travelers hitting the road, AAA is urging drivers to prepare their vehicles in advance, as roadside assistance calls are typically high during this time due to issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty gas tanks.

For those planning to fly, air travel in the U.S. is reaching new heights. AAA estimates that 5.84 million Americans will fly domestically, a 1.4% increase from last year’s record. Domestic round-trip flights are expected to average $810, which is a 4% increase from 2024. Last-minute travelers can find better deals by flying midweek, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, according to AAA data.

Meanwhile, nearly 4.78 million Americans are expected to travel by bus, train, or cruise, marking a 7.4% rise over last year. Cruises, particularly those to Alaska, continue to be a major draw for travelers, with many Americans opting for vacation packages that include a combination of sea and land excursions.

Top Destinations for Independence Day Travel

For those traveling from Tennessee and beyond, some of the top destinations for the Independence Day period include both domestic and international locations. According to AAA booking data, Florida is a major draw, with cities like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami topping the list of most popular U.S. destinations. New York and Boston are also in high demand, especially for their spectacular fireworks displays. Additionally, Alaska cruises continue to attract large numbers of travelers, with Anchorage and Juneau seeing significant visitation.

Internationally, Vancouver, Canada, is the most sought-after destination, known for its mild summer weather and combination of urban culture and natural beauty. Cities like Rome, Paris, and London are also in high demand as travelers look to explore Europe’s iconic landmarks and enjoy the continent’s summer charm.

Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car

For those driving in Tennessee and across the country, AAA has provided a detailed guide on the best and worst times to travel by car. According to INRIX data, the worst times for road congestion will occur in the afternoons, particularly on Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6. Drivers should aim to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic and take advantage of lighter travel times.

The following travel times are considered ideal for road trips:

Saturday, June 28 : Best travel time before 10:00 AM, avoid 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

: Best travel time before 10:00 AM, avoid 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday, June 29 : Best travel time before 11:00 AM, avoid 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

: Best travel time before 11:00 AM, avoid 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Monday, June 30 : Best travel time before 12:00 PM, avoid 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

: Best travel time before 12:00 PM, avoid 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Tuesday, July 1 : Best travel time before 2:00 PM, avoid 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

: Best travel time before 2:00 PM, avoid 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Wednesday, July 2: Best travel time before 12:00 PM, avoid 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Travelers are also advised to be alert for construction delays, crashes, and weather-related disruptions, as these can cause unexpected delays during the busy holiday period.

Travel Insurance and Last-Minute Booking Tips

AAA encourages travelers to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect their vacation plans. Unexpected disruptions like flight delays, lost luggage, or medical emergencies can turn a dream vacation into a stressful experience. Travel insurance provides peace of mind, ensuring that travelers can make the most of their Independence Day getaway without added concerns.

For those making last-minute travel plans, AAA’s travel advisors can help with booking rental cars, hotels, and flights. Whether you’re planning a road trip, a relaxing beach vacation, or an adventure abroad, AAA offers expert guidance to help create a memorable holiday experience.

As millions of Americans, including 1.6 million Tennesseans, take to the roads, skies, and seas this Independence Day, AAA’s travel forecast highlights a strong demand for travel, with Tennesseans leading the way in this historic travel surge.

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