As a record number of people are expected to fly and drive during the week leading up to Independence Day, travelers should be prepared for delays and heavy traffic.
According to AAA, nearly 71 million people will travel from June 29 to July 7 to celebrate the Fourth of Independence. That’s 8% more than in 2019 and 5% more than last year.
The summer holidays are in full swing, and Americans can work remotely, so they’re taking longer trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale in a AAA Travel statement. “We expect this week of July 4th to be the busiest in history, with 5.7 more people traveling than in 2019. ”
According to the motor club, 70.9 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles during this period. Of those 60.6 million, 2.8 million more than in 2023.
According to an INRIX transportation data analyst, the worst time to drive is between 2-7 p.m. on Wednesday and Sunday.
According to the data collected by INRIX, those who are traveling in a car on July 3, 4, and 7 should try to leave their homes before noon. Road-trippers on July 6, 7, and 8 should leave before 10:00 a.m.
According to Newsweek, Bob Pishue is a transportation analyst for INRIX. He said the worst traffic will occur on July 3rd as drivers leave town and on July 7th as they return.
Pishue says that during busy holidays, driving can take 67% longer. He recommends beginning drives in the morning if you can.
Experts recommend that you wait until the evening rush has passed to travel if you are unable to leave early in the morning.
According to Newsweek, Independence Day ranks second after New Year’s Day as the most dangerous holiday for drivers in the U.S.
“Holidays often coincide with school breaks or time off from work. This can lead to more teens or young adults driving on the road who may not have the necessary driving experience. This could result in risky driving or accidents,” said a representative from the California injury law firm.
The firm said that fatal crashes in Washington, D.C. increased by 182%.
Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are the cities with the highest demand for rental cars during this year’s holiday week. The busiest pickup days were last Friday and Saturday and Wednesday, July 3.
The TSA has warned that over 32 million passengers are expected to travel through America’s 434 international airports from June 29 to July 8. This is an increase of about 5.4 million travelers compared to last year. The busiest day for travel will be the 7th of July when 3 million passengers are expected.
In a recent statement, TSA Federal Security Director Douglas Cruz for Colorado said that they have planned their security operations to be prepared for the surge of travelers coming to the airport.
According to AAA, domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this year than it was last year. The average domestic round-trip price will be $800.
The AAA recommends arriving at the airport two hours before departure, even for domestic flights. Booking parking in advance and using carry-on luggage will save you time and money.
According to AAA, more than 4.6 million people will travel using other modes of transport, such as buses, cruises, and trains, during the Fourth of July holiday period. This is a 9 percent increase from 2019.
