AAA: Nearly 71 Million People Expected to Travel Over Fourth of July Week | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

VIRGINIA BEACH — AAA projects 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period, defined as the nine-day period from Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, July 7.

This is the first time AAA looked at the entire July Fourth week, plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday, it said, noting this year’s projected number of travelers is a 5% increase compared to 2023 and an 8% increase over 2019.

“With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We anticipate this July Fourth week will be the busiest ever with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019.”

AAA is projecting a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week — an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. It noted gas prices are lower than last year and will likely continue going down leading up to Independence Day, with the caveat that hurricane season is now underway, which could affect gas prices should a storm negatively impact Gulf Coast oil production and refining centers.

The number of air travelers is also expected to set a new record, with AAA projecting 5.74 million people will fly to their July Fourth destinations, an increase of nearly 7% compared to last year and a 12% increase over 2019. AAA said booking data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, and airports should be packed throughout the week.

More than 4.6 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains, AAA said, a 9% increase compared to last year, and it added cruising continues a remarkable post-pandemic comeback.

Best/Worst Times to Travel

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, said the worst times to travel by car before and on July Fourth are between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Drivers should hit the road in the morning, and travelers returning on Monday, July 8 should avoid rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon, it added.

“Drivers in large metro areas can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3, as they leave town, and Sunday, July 7, as they return,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal. Travelers should monitor 511 services, local news stations, and traffic apps for up-to-the-minute road conditions.”

Top Destinations

This July Fourth week, travelers are cooling off in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and by the ocean. Seattle, Vancouver, and Anchorage are top destinations because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year, AAA said, while beaches in South Florida, Honolulu, Punta Cana, and Barcelona are in high demand. Historical sites in European cities like London, Rome, Dublin, Paris, and Athens are also popular.

Family Road Trip Checklist

With road trips expected to set a new record this July Fourth week, AAA teamed up with Chicco to share safety tips for families with small children:

• Check car seat fit. Before you hit the road, check your child’s weight and height to ensure they’re in the right seat and mode of use — especially when it comes to transitioning from rear to forward-facing. Children should remain rear-facing as long as possible for better protection of their head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash; Virginia law requires children to remain rear-facing until age 2. If you are unsure which car seat is best for your child, Chicco offers a car seat comparison guide.
• Double check car seat installation. Even if your car seat is already installed in the car, it’s worth checking everything is safe and secure. An easy at-home way to do this is with the “inch test.” Simply grab the seat at the car seat belt path and pull side to side and front to back. If it moves more than one inch in any direction, uninstall and start over until a secure fit is achieved. For any questions, utilize the car seat manual, QR codes, or make an appointment with AAA Tidewater at 757-233-3889.
• Secure loose items in the car. Take time to organize and clean up your car before hitting the road. Storage organizers that secure to the back of the driver and passenger seats are simple solutions to make sure everything has a spot, especially loose items that can become projectiles in case of a sudden stop.
• Be prepared for the unexpected. Pack an emergency kit with first-aid supplies, water, snacks, blankets, jumper cables, and flares. Make sure your phone is fully charged — and keep a charger in the car — to call AAA or request roadside assistance digitally if your battery dies, you lock yourself out, or you need a tow.
• Map your route. Families with young children should plan for frequent and longer stops along the way. Map out your route ahead of time with AAA TripTik and browse hotels, restaurants, and other activities along the way on AAA Trip Canvas.
• Bring entertainment. Make sure to place toys and books within reach to keep children entertained. If your kids use tablets or other electronics, make sure the devices are fully charged and pre-downloaded before leaving home. Another fun way to get the whole family excited for the road trip is to create a family playlist of everyone’s favorite songs!