AAA: 72.2 Million Americans Expected to Travel Over July Fourth Week

AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Fourth of July between Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, July 5. While domestic travel this year is forecast to surpass last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers, the increase is smaller than recent year-over-year gains. The number of travelers driving and flying to their destinations is relatively flat compared to last year, while travel by other modes, including cruises, is the category seeing the biggest increase.

“While the overall number of Independence Day travelers appears to be plateauing, traveling during the week of July Fourth remains a tradition for many,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Whether they’re vacationing for the full week or just getting away for the long weekend, we still expect to see high volumes of travelers taking advantage of the holiday.” 

Independence Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation

By Car

AAA projects 85% of travelers — 61.4 million people — will drive to their destinations, nearly the same number as last year, when 61.3 million travelers took road trips. While gas prices have fallen over the past few weeks, the average price remains higher than last year. Despite higher prices at the pump, filling up the tank during a road trip is still cheaper than purchasing flights for many travelers. 

For travelers renting cars, AAA car rental partner Hertz expects Thursday, July 2, to be the busiest pickup day. 

AAA urges drivers to prioritize safety during their holiday festivities:

• Drive sober: Nearly one in three summertime traffic deaths involves an impaired driver, according to a AAA crash data analysis. AAA, in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), reminds anyone who plans to drink or use impairing substances to arrange a sober ride before going out.
• Slow Down, Move Over: Drivers play a huge role in preventing tragedies by reducing speed and changing lanes whenever they approach a vehicle on the side of the road. 
• Don’t skip car maintenance: Last year during Independence Day week, AAA responded to more than 687,000 roadside assistance calls. Half of those required towing services, and nearly 30% of those calls were for battery replacement and flat tires. Stay on top of routine oil changes, plus check battery condition and tire pressure before hitting the road.

By Air

AAA projects 5.85 million travelers will take domestic flights over July Fourth week, a 0.2% increase over last year. Air travelers make up 8% of the share of holiday travelers. 

By Other Modes

Travel by other modes is seeing the biggest year-over-year growth compared to car and air travel. AAA projects 4.93 million Americans will take buses, trains and cruises over Independence Day week, a 5.3% increase from last year. Travelers are drawn to cruise vacations because they know how much the trip will cost upfront thanks to all-inclusive dining, various entertainment options and multiple destinations in one package.

AAA’s Top Independence Day Destinations

AAA members are heading to major U.S. cities and flying internationally to Canada and Europe during the holiday period. July Fourth fireworks and festivities in New York and Boston draw big crowds, and peak Alaskan cruise season brings travelers to Seattle, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Vancouver.

Best and Worst Times to Drive

The weekend of July Fourth will be the busiest on the roads, starting Thursday, July 2, according to transportation data and insights provider INRIX. Drivers looking to avoid the heaviest traffic should leave early in the day or consider traveling on Monday or Tuesday.

Jillian Young

Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.