For some people, the Fourth of July is all about backyard barbecues and watching their hometown fireworks show. Millions of others, however, are getting out of town: AAA reports a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles between June 28 and July 6 — an estimated 61.6 million drivers and 5.84 million fliers. Meanwhile, TSA predicts even more fliers — 18.5 million, to be specific.
Whether or not you have a summer holiday planned, all of that movement means roads, airports and public transit will be more crowded than usual … and you may need to adjust your schedule accordingly.
Heading out of town this week — or just want to know how to navigate travel during one of the biggest travel holidays of the year? Here’s what to keep in mind.
Why so many people are traveling this July Fourth — and where they’re going
With Independence Day falling on a Friday this year, more people are taking advantage of the long weekend and traveling to far-off destinations via airplane. According to a report by flight discovery site Going, popular cities this year for travel include Denver, Chicago, London, San Diego and New York. And with the opening of the new theme park Epic Universe, more and more people are heading to Orlando as well.
Internationally, AAA reports that Vancouver, Canada, is the top spot for July Fourth travelers, while European destinations like Rome, Paris, London and Barcelona are also popular.
Meanwhile, about 4.78 million people are expected to travel by bus, train or ship this Fourth of July, marking a 7.4% jump from last year. Alaska cruises are particularly popular, per AAA.
How weather might impact travel this year
Early-week storms could cause delays, especially for airline passengers. According to Fox Weather, storms are expected from Florida up through Ohio and Pennsylvania on Monday, with possible flight delays in cities like Tampa, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
By Tuesday, the stormy weather moves up the East Coast, threatening major airports in New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Things should clear up in the Northeast and Midwest by Wednesday, but the Southeast — especially Florida — could see rain right through the holiday.
Still putting together your plans? Fox Weather reports that cities like Columbus, St. Louis and Chicago are expected to have some of the best weather for holiday celebrations.
What to know about air travel this Fourth of July
This weekend is not the time to try the viral TikTok “airport theory.” It’s recommended you arrive at the airport two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights — and with so many people en route this week, you’ll want to stick to that plan, or risk missing your flight.
Real ID regulations also went into effect on May 7, and you’ll need it to get on a domestic flight. Don’t have a Real ID yet? While you can still travel, you’ll need to pack another acceptable form of ID, such as your passport. You can find a full list of acceptable IDs on TSA’s website.
And if you don’t have a Real ID, you should get to the airport even earlier than that two-hour window for a domestic flight. That’s because TSA has said that travelers who don’t have a Real ID can expect additional identity screening at the airport. They recommend arriving three hours before a flight.
While TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said in a press release that the agency is working to ensure that their airport security efforts are “prepared to handle the heavy rush of traffic,” they ask travelers to “pack their patience, especially during peak travel days, as we work to provide maximum hospitality to our customers.”
What to know about traveling by car this Independence Day
Taking a road trip? The good news is that gas prices are down for summer travel. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.21, which is roughly 23 cents lower than it was at this time last year.
For those renting cars, AAA car rental partner Hertz anticipates that Thursday, July 3, will be the peak day for vehicle pickups, the company told Yahoo. Popular travel spots for rental cars include Orlando, Denver, Boston, Oahu, Hawaii, and Seattle. Want a big car for all your friends — and road trip snacks? The majority of renters are opting for SUVs and midsize sedans, so reserve as early as possible.
But no matter what car you drive, you’ll have to deal with traffic. According to transportation analytics firm INRIX, your best bet is to drive during the morning hours to avoid the worst traffic, as afternoons and evenings leading up to the holiday will be especially congested.
Traffic is expected to build up on July 1 by early afternoon. Wednesday, July 2, will likely be the toughest traffic day, with heavy traffic predicted from noon all the way through 9 p.m. — so hitting the road in the morning is key. Early departures are also smart on Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, when congestion is expected to start as early as noon. And for your return trip, aim to leave before late morning on Saturday, July 5, or before noon on Sunday, July 6.
