STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Burgers, brats, and bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Fourth of July is always a well-traveled holiday, and this year is no different as a record number of people are expected to hit the road.
According to AAA, almost 71 million travelers will be taking planes, trains, and automobiles to travel for the Fourth.
These numbers, AAA says represents a 5% increase when compared to 2023 an 8% increase from 2019, and the first time that travel numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
“Summer vacations are in full swing, and with the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Alec Slatky, Managing Director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast. “We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019.”
Of the 70.9 million people expected to travel between June 29 to July 7, the vast majority— around 60 million— will do so by car.
This figure represents a leap of 2.8 million drivers more than last year, and laps the 55.3 million people who traveled by car in 2019.
With that many extra people on the road, drivers will be wondering when the best time to beat traffic is.
According to INRIX, a transportation data and insights company, the worst times to travel by car around the holiday will be between 2 and 7 p.m.
Delays are expected to be at their worst on Wednesday, July 3, as everyone leaves town, and on Sunday, July 7, as they return.
These are the best and worst travel times for Independence Day, according to INRIX.
Tuesday, July 2: Worst – 2 to 6 p.m. Best – after 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 3: Worst – 2 to 7 p.m. Best – before noon
Thursday, July 4: Worst – 2 to7 p.m. Best – before noon
Friday, July 5: Worst – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Best – before 10 a.m.
Saturday, July 6: Worst – 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Best – before 10 a.m.
Sunday, July 7: Worst – 2 to 8 p.m. Best – before 11 a.m.
Monday, July 8: Worst – 1-5 p.m. Best – after 7 p.m.