AAA: Nearly 71M people expected to travel over July 4th week

AAA projects 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA looked at the entire July 4th week, plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday. This year’s projected number of travelers for that period is a five-percent increase compared to 2023 and an eight-percent increase over 2019.

“Americans are embracing the opportunity to travel over the Independence Day holiday in record-breaking numbers,” said Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “Whether by car, plane or train, we are seeing more people planning extended trips over the holiday to celebrate with family and friends.”

AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week – that’s an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. This year’s number also surpasses 2019 when 55.3 million people traveled by car over July 4th week.

AAA car rental partner Hertz says Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and San Francisco are the cities displaying the highest rental demand during the holiday week. The busiest pick-up days are projected to be Friday, June 28, Saturday, June 29 and Wednesday, July 3.

Gas prices are lower than last year when the national average was $3.53. It is important to remember that it is hurricane season which could affect gas prices should a storm negatively impact Gulf Coast oil production and refining centers.

The number of air travelers is also expected to set a record. AAA projects 5.74 million people will fly to their July 4th destinations. That’s an increase of nearly seven percent compared to last year and a 12-percent increase over 2019. AAA booking data shows domestic airfare is two-percent cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, and the average price for a domestic roundtrip ticket is $800.

Airports will be packed throughout the week. AAA recommends arriving two hours early, reserving parking ahead of time and traveling with carry-on luggage versus checked bags to save time and money.

More than 4.6 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. This category is seeing an increase of nine percent compared to last year, but this year’s number is shy of 2019’s figure of 4.79 million.

Cruising continues its remarkable post-pandemic comeback. This time of year, Alaska cruises are in high demand, making Seattle and Anchorage top domestic destinations. Cruise travelers are also finding deals this summer. With new ships coming onto the market – and going for a premium – some cruise lines have been offering targeted discounts to fill older inventory for remaining cabins.

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says the worst times to travel by car before and on July 4th are between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Drivers should hit the road in the morning, and travelers returning on Monday, July 8 should avoid rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon.

“Drivers in large metro areas can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3rd, as they leave town, and Sunday, July 7th, as they return,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67-percent longer than normal. Travelers should monitor 511 services, local news stations, and traffic apps for up-to-the-minute road conditions.”
 
This July 4th week, travelers are cooling off in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska – and by the ocean. Seattle, Vancouver and Anchorage are top destinations because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. Beaches in South Florida, Honolulu, Punta Cana and Barcelona are in high demand. Historical sites in European cities like London, Rome, Dublin, Paris and Athens are also popular.

With road trips expected to set a record this July 4th week, AAA teamed up with Chicco to share safety tips for families with young children.

• Check car seat fit. Before hitting the road, check children’s weight and height to ensure they’re in the right seat and mode of use – especially when it comes to transitioning from rear to forward-facing. Children should remain rear-facing as long as possible for better protection of their head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash. If unsure which car seat is best, Chicco offers a car seat comparison guide.

• Double check car seat installation. Even if a car seat is already installed in the car, it’s worth checking everything is safe and secure. An easy at-home way to do this is with the “inch test.” Simply grab the seat at the car seat belt path and pull side to side and front to back. If it moves more than one inch in any direction, uninstall and start over until a secure fit is achieved. For any questions, utilize the car seat manual, QR codes or online resources like those offered by Chicco.

• Secure loose items in the car. Take time to organize and clean up a vehicle before hitting the road. Storage organizers that secure to the back of the driver and passenger seats are simple solutions to make sure everything has a spot, especially loose items that can become projectiles in case of a sudden stop.

• Be prepared for the unexpected. Pack an emergency kit with first-aid supplies, water, snacks, blankets, jumper cables and flares. Make sure phones are fully charged – and keep a charger in the car – to call AAA or request roadside assistance digitally in the event of a breakdown.

• Map routes ahead of time. Families with young children should plan for frequent and longer stops along the way. Routes can be selected with AAA TripTik and hotels, restaurants, and other activities along the way can be found on AAA Trip Canvas.

• Bring entertainment. Make sure to place toys and books within reach to keep children entertained. If children use tablets or other electronics, make sure the devices are fully charged and pre-downloaded before leaving home.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 70 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.

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