This Fourth of July is poised to set new travel records, with an unprecedented number of Americans preparing to hit the road. AAA projects that 60.6 million people will travel by car during the week of Independence Day, marking an increase of 2.8 million car travelers compared to the previous year. This figure also surpasses the 55.3 million who took to the highways in 2019.
For the first time, AAA has included data for the entire week surrounding the Fourth of July, encompassing both the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday. In total, it is estimated that 70.9 million people will journey at least 50 miles from home during this period—a 5% uptick from 2023 and an 8% rise from 2019.
“With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019.”
Current gas prices, averaging below last year’s $3.53 per gallon, are also contributing to the travel surge. According to AAA, prices are expected to continue falling as the holiday approaches and should remain stable through Labor Day, similar to last year’s trends.
“Drivers in large metro areas can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3rd, as they leave town, and Sunday, July 7th, as they return,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, a provider of transportation data. “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.”
For 2024, AAA defines the Independence Day travel period as the nine days from Saturday, June 29, to Sunday, July 7. This is the first year the period has been extended to cover two weekends instead of just one.
Source: Truckers News
