An estimated 70.9 million people plan to travel for Independence Day on July 4th, a record number. The most popular domestic destinations are Seattle, Orlando, Anchorage, Honolulu and Miami. The worst time to drive during Independence Day week is between 2pm and 7pm on July 3rd and 4th.
A record 70.9 million travelers are expected to plan trips for the Fourth of July, so if you'll be one of them, you'll need to be patient.
“With summer vacations in full swing and greater remote work flexibility, more Americans are taking longer trips around the Fourth of July,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president at AAA Travel, said in a statement. “We expect the week of July to be our busiest ever, with 5.7 million more people traveling compared to 2019.”
Whether flying or driving, travel numbers are at an all-time high: An estimated 5.74 million people will fly to Independence Day destinations, up 7% from 2023. (Thank goodness domestic airfares are a little cheaper this year.)
This year, 2.8 million more people are expected to travel by car than last year, bringing the total to 60.6 million travelers. Cities like Dallas, Los Angeles, Denver and San Francisco are seeing the highest demand for rental cars, according to AAA partner and rental car company Hertz.
Here's everything you need to know about traveling on Independence Day.
Read more: Best travel insurance
Planning a summer trip? Summer vacation destinations and how to save money
What are the most popular destinations during Independence Day week?
Many travelers are heading to the coast for Fourth of July trips, with states like Hawaii and Florida topping the list. The best time for Alaska cruises is now here, and cities like Seattle, Vancouver and Anchorage are popular among travelers. As expected, popular European destinations like London and Rome also made the list.
Most popular domestic destinations:
Seattle Orlando Anchorage Honolulu Miami
Most popular international destinations:
Vancouver London Rome Dublin Paris
When is the best time to drive during Independence Day week?
As with most holiday travel, the early bird catches the worm, which means you'll have the least chance of getting stuck in traffic. For your Independence Day road trip, leave before noon on July 3 and 4. If you're heading home, leave before 11 AM on July 7 and after 7 PM on July 8.
When is the worst time to drive during Independence Day week?
“Drivers in metropolitan areas can expect the most congestion when leaving on Wednesday, July 3, and returning home on Sunday, July 7,” INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pichoux said in a statement. “Drives over the holiday weekend could take up to 67 percent longer than usual.”
On July 3rd and 4th, avoid driving between 2pm and 7pm, when traffic is at its busiest. On Friday, July 5th, traffic will be at its busiest between 11am and 4pm.
The heaviest traffic hours for travellers heading home will be between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday, July 5. The heaviest traffic is expected on July 7, so motorists should avoid the roads between 2pm and 8pm.
“Travelers should monitor 511 services, local news stations and traffic apps for the latest road conditions,” Pichoux said.
Peak hours in major US cities
Atlanta
Worst Route: Birmingham to Atlanta via I-20 EWorst Day: July 7thWorst Time: 6:30pmEstimated Journey Time: 3 hours 36 minutes42% increase in journey time
Boston
Worst Route: Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrim Highway Worst Date: July 4th Worst Time: 1:45 PM Estimated Travel Time: 1 hour 51 minutes A 31% increase in travel time
Denver
Worst Route: Fort Collins to Denver via I-25 Worst Date: July 8th Worst Time: 2:45pm Estimated Trip Time: 1 hour 37 minutes A 56% increase in trip time
Houston
Worst Route: San Antonio to Houston via I-10 EWorst Day: July 6thWorst Time: 1:30pmEstimated Travel Time: 3 hours 48 minutes41% increase in travel time
Los Angeles
Worst Route: Bakersfield to Los Angeles via I-5 Worst Date: July 8th Worst Time: 2:15pm Estimated Trip Time: 1 hour 47 minutes A 29% increase in trip time
new york
Worst Route: Jersey Shore to New York via Garden State Parkway N Worst Day: July 7th Worst Time: 2:15pm Estimated Travel Time: 1 hour 25 minutes Travel time increased by 40%
San Francisco
Worst Route: San Francisco to Monterey via Santa Cruz Highway Worst Date: July 2nd Worst Time: 5:45pm Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours 31 minutes 19% increase in travel time
Seattle
Worst Route: Ellensburg to Seattle via I-90 E Worst Day: July 7th Worst Time: 4:30pm Estimated Trip Time: 2 hours 19 minutes Trip time increased by 35%
Washington DC
Worst Route: Baltimore to Washington DC via Balt/Wash Pkwy Worst Date: July 8th Worst Time: 3:15pm Estimated Travel Time: 1 hour, 1 minute 67% increase in travel time
Kathleen Wong is a Hawaii-based travel writer for USA TODAY. She can be reached at kwong@usatoday.com.
