The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported on June 20 that it anticipates “this July 4th week will be the busiest ever.”
The source claims that the estimated number of travelers during the week of July 4th will be up by 5% compared to 2023. This year, an estimated 70.9 million will travel farther than 50 miles, and 60.6 million of them are projected to go by car. Moreover, 5.74 million travelers are expected to fly.
How Can I Prepare For July 4th Travel?
Overall, Fourth of July travel is expected to be congested whether traveling by plane or car. The number of travelers this July 4th compared to 2019, pre-pandemic, is up 8%.
AAA shared important information that might beneficially inform or adjust how travelers navigate their travels. The nonprofit forecasts that “the busiest pick-up days” for getting a rental car will be June 28, June 29, and July 3. Also, AAA recommends arriving two hours early to the airport, reserving airport parking ahead of time, and traveling with carry-ons versus checked bags to “save time and money.”
A transportation data and insights provider that AAA cited reportedly claimed that the timeframe between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. will be the worst to embark on car travel. To avoid traffic, the nonprofit said, “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 3, as they leave town, and Sunday, July 7, as they return,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, reportedly said. “Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal. Travelers should monitor 511 services, local news stations, and traffic apps for up-to-the-minute road conditions.”