Good news for those driving to their destinations for the Fourth: Gas prices are down nearly 17 percent from last year, according to Hopper, and AAA said prices should continue to fall ahead of the holiday.
AAA projects that Monday, July 1, will be the best day to hit the road, but opting for Tuesday night or before noon on Wednesday or the Fourth itself will help you beat some of the traffic, too. INRIX, an analytics company that provides transportation data and insights, said the worst times to drive before and on the Fourth will be between 2 and 7 p.m., with congestion expected to be heaviest in the Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston and Philadelphia metro areas. The worst traffic delays for return travelers will hit on Sunday, July 7, INRIX said.
Hopper reports that rental car rates have stayed about the same since last July 4, while travel site KAYAK says they’ve increased 9 percent. Experts recommend booking as early as possible to guarantee your vehicle — and to remember that if rates drop after you book, you can rebook at the lower price.
Still too expensive? You might find a deal on peer-to-peer car-rental apps like Turo, which have expanded in some parts of the country.