VW Independent Staff/Submitted Information
AAA predicts that 70.9 million travelers will head more than 50 miles from home during the Independence Day holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA looked at the entire week of July 4th as well as the Saturday before and Sunday after the holiday (June 29-July 7). Projected travel numbers for this time of year represent a 5% increase compared to 2023 and an 8% increase compared to 2019.
“With summer vacations in full swing and greater flexibility in remote work, more Americans are taking longer trips around the Fourth of July,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president at AAA Travel. “We expect the week of July to be our busiest ever, with 5.7 million more people traveling compared to 2019.”
AAA predicts that about 71 million people will travel for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. AAA photo
AAA predicts that a record 60.6 million people will travel by car during the week of Independence Day, 2.8 million more travelers than last year. This year's numbers will also surpass 2019, when 55.3 million people traveled by car the week of July 4.
Gasoline prices are lower than last year, when the national average was $3.53. Gasoline prices are expected to continue to decline through Independence Day, at which point prices are expected to plateau and remain relatively stable through Labor Day, as they did last year. An important note to note is the ongoing hurricane season, which could affect gasoline prices if storms adversely affect oil production and refining centers on the Gulf Coast.
The number of air travelers is also expected to set new records. AAA predicts that 5.74 million people will fly to Fourth of July destinations, an increase of about 7% compared to last year and 12% compared to 2019. Domestic airfares are 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, with the average price of a domestic round-trip ticket being $800, according to AAA booking data. Airports will be busy throughout the week. To save time and money, AAA recommends arriving two hours early, reserving parking in advance, and traveling with carry-on luggage instead of checked bags.
More than 4.6 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises and trains, a 9% increase in this category compared to last year, but this year's figure is still below 2019's figure of 4.79 million.
