Independent VW team/information submitted
AAA projects that 70.9 million travelers will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday period. For the first time, AAA analyzed the entire week of July 4th, plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday. June 29th to July 7th. This year’s projected number of travelers for that period is a five percent increase compared to 2023 and an eight percent increase compared to 2019.
“With summer vacation in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president at AAA Travel. “We predict this July 4th week will be the busiest ever, with 5.7 million more people traveling compared to 2019.”
AAA projects that a record 60.6 million people will travel by car during Independence Day week – an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. This year’s number also exceeds that of 2019, when 55.3 million people traveled by car during the week of July 4th.
Gas prices are lower than last year, when the national average was $3.53. Prices at the pump will likely continue to fall until Independence Day. At that point, they will likely stabilize and remain relatively stable until after Labor Day, similar to last year. An important warning is the ongoing hurricane season, which could affect gas prices if a storm has a negative impact on Gulf Coast oil production and refining centers.
The number of air travelers is also expected to set a new record. AAA projects that 5.74 million people will fly to their destinations on July 4th. This represents a nearly seven percent increase compared to last year and a 12 percent increase compared to 2019. AAA booking data shows that domestic airfare is two percent cheaper this Easter Day week. Independence compared to last year, and the average price of a round-trip domestic ticket is $800. Airports will be crowded during the week. AAA recommends arriving 2 hours early, reserving parking in advance, and traveling with carry-on luggage instead of checked luggage to save time and money.
More than 4.6 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transport, including buses, cruises and trains. This category records an increase of nine percent compared to last year, but this year’s number is shy of the 4.79 million in 2019.
