AAA predicts the best and worst times to travel for July 4th holiday

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Auto club AAA is predicting record travel for the 4th of July holiday.

According to experts with the company, the best time to hit the road is Wednesday before noon. They expect the heaviest traffic between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on July 3.

A record 4.5 million Floridians are traveling for the holiday. Approximately 4 million of the travelers are driving. Florida is also a top destination for out-of-state travelers with families flocking to Orlando and the beaches.

Leaders with AAA say gas is more expensive than this time last year. The state average for a gallon of fuel is $3.56, an $.18 increase from 2023.

Families traveling from Tampa to Orlando via I-4 should expect the trip to take 2 hours, a 58% increase from the typical drive time.

Individuals traveling with kids should check car seats to make sure they’re properly installed before leaving for a trip. AAA also reminds travelers to keep phones charged in case of an emergency.

The company hopes to keep impaired drivers off the road with its ‘Tow to Go’ program. The service activates at 6 p.m. Wednesday and runs through Monday at 6 a.m.

Drivers can dial (855) 2-TOW-2-GO and the company will send a tow truck to move the vehicle to a safe location within 10 miles. The tow is free but should be used as a last resort.