Travel experts expect more than 70 million Americans to hit the roads and urge drivers to prepare and plan for heavy traffic.
“We’re expecting more than 72 million people traveling a distance of 50 miles or more,” said AAA Alabama’s Clay Ingram. “Which will be a record for the 4th of July, breaking the record we set last year on the 4th of July.”
There are several ways to better prepare for your travel plans. AAA recommends checking your vehicle before you leave, especially tires, the battery, and fluids, to avoid breakdowns during peak traffic hours.
1. Plan your travel schedule in advance.
2. Make sure to arrive earlier than you usually do.
3. Plan to leave earlier in the day, as most traffic will occur in the afternoon.
4. Ensure the driver is prepared to safely navigate a high volume of traffic in more congested areas.
Ingram says the holiday is a great opportunity for people to get away and that vacations are more of a necessity nowadays rather than a luxury.
“More than 90% of those people will be traveling by automobile, and it seems like the vast majority of those people are gonna be headed to the Gulf Coast,” said Ingram. “All those roads headed down to the beach are gonna be really crowded and really busy, so you need to plan around that a little bit.”
Due to the Gulf Coast being such a popular destination for Alabamians, the roads are going to be crowded and highly congested. Air travel is also seeing an uptick.
“Air travel is gonna be up as well, I think about 1.2 increase in airfare,” said Ingram. “But more people this year are traveling domestically than internationally, so that means the roads are gonna be busier.”
No matter where you’re headed this 4th of July, a little planning can go a long way toward a safer, less stressful holiday.
With a record number of travelers hitting the road this holiday weekend, it’s a good reminder to plan, stay alert, and, above all, travel safely.
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