As the July 4th holiday approaches, AAA is expecting a flurry of travel activity in the U.S., with a record 72.2 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more from home between Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, July 6.
The extended nine-day window, which now includes two weekends, captures a broader wave of vacationers and reflects a 1.7 million increase from last year, and 7 million more travelers than in pre-pandemic 2019.
“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4th is one of the most popular times to get away. Following Memorial Day’s record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week. With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, in a media statement.
Road Trips Still Reign
The majority of holiday travelers—61.6 million—are expected to drive, marking a 2.2 percent increase over 2023 and the highest number of road trippers ever recorded for the Independence Day period.
Gas prices remain relatively low compared to recent summers. Despite some uptick in prices due to tensions in the Middle East and hurricane season concerns, AAA says summer gas averages are the lowest since 2021.
Sky High
Air travel is also trending upward, with 5.84 million Americans expected to fly, an 8 percent share of total travelers and a new holiday-week record. That’s a 1.4 percent increase over last year. Round-trip domestic airfare for the holiday is averaging $810, up 4 percent year-over-year, based on AAA booking data.
For last-minute bookings, encourage clients to fly on weekdays like Tuesday or Wednesday to find better fares and avoid peak congestion.
Demand for Rentals, Cruises and Alaska
Car rental demand is up as well, with AAA partner Hertz reporting that Thursday, July 3, will be the busiest rental pickup day. Top rental destinations—including Orlando, Denver, Boston, Oahu and Seattle—mirror AAA’s most-booked U.S. spots for the holiday.
In the “other” travel category—buses, trains and cruises—4.78 million travelers are expected, just shy of 2019’s all-time high. AAA notes that cruises are a driving force, with strong seasonal demand for Alaska sailings in particular.
Planning Around Peak Traffic
Traffic will be heaviest on Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, according to transportation analytics firm INRIX. Mid- to late-afternoon will see the most congestion, so travelers should plan early departures. INRIX also advises caution due to possible delays caused by construction, weather or roadside incidents.
For travel advisors, the takeaway is clear: demand remains high, and clients—especially families—are eager to make the most of the extended July 4th window. With careful planning, itinerary tweaks and early booking, advisors can help travelers avoid holiday headaches and maximize their vacation time.
