This Fourth of July travel weekend will be one for the record books. The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that 50.7 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, marking a new high for Independence Day weekend travel volume, and breaking the previous record of 49 million set in 2019.
With the holiday falling on a Tuesday, the normal three-day weekend extends by a day—prolonging the holiday break and making it a more enticing time frame to travelers.
“Pent-up demand still exists and we see no relief in sight for the summer,” says AAA Travel’s Senior Vice President Paula Twidale. “Planes are full, hotel average daily rates are still high, days are longer, and there is a lot of focus on family travel during school break.”
Here’s what this Fourth of July travel weekend will bring, whether you’re catching a flight overseas or sticking closer to home.
Car travel will reach an all-time high
Domestic travel is expected to spike 2.1 percent compared to last year, and Americans will be turning to car trips especially, as 43.2 million are projected to drive—2.4 percent higher than last year and 4 percent more than 2019, setting yet another new record for the weekend.
“Road travel is still strong because it is family-friendly, and travelers can control their time, stops, and spending,” Twidale says. “[There’s] no need to contend with volatile summer weather, delays, and missed flights.”
She also notes that it’s more affordable for families to drive. One reason: Gas prices are down from what they were a year ago, with the national average around $3.50 to $3.60 a gallon, while it was $4.80 at the same time last year.
Roads are expected to be especially congested on Friday, June 30, with average travel times about 30 percent higher than normal, especially in metropolitan hubs, like Boston, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., according to transportation data company Inrix. Those who need to hit the road that day should try to depart in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid peak traffic. The company also suggests monitoring traffic apps, as well as connecting with the local Department of Transportation by subscribing to its notifications or using its 511 service.
Twidale says that anecdotally, July 4 will likely see high volumes as well, as could July 9 for those who chose to extend their time away through the week.
Despite costly airfare, more Americans are flying
Americans are also taking flight for the holiday weekend with AAA predicting 4.17 million will travel by plane, which is 11.2 percent more than last year and 6.6 percent more than 2019, which had held the previous record of 3.91 million. That means 8.2 percent of Independence Day travelers this year are going by air, which is the highest percentage in about two decades.
“Flights are full to Europe and there is no shortage of those buying upper class on the aircraft for more amenities and ease of check-in,” Twidale adds. She says that domestic flights will be generally less expensive this summer than previous years, but those who are crossing borders can expect sky-high prices since seats are so limited.
On average, AAA data shows passengers are paying a whopping 40 to 50 percent more for flights, in part because of reduced services from the lack of air traffic controllers.
Those opting for buses, trains, and cruises are also seeing a major uptick of 24 percent compared to last year to 3.36 million, though it still sits shy of the record of 3.54 million set in 2019.
“Americans are not willing to give up travel and the respite they deserve,” Twidale says. “Despite inflation, they are still traveling and flying.”
