July 4th weekend to set new travel records: What to expect

More than 24 million people are expected to fly out of US airports during the 4th of July weekend, according to Hopper data. Hopper Lead Economist Hayley Berg joins Wealth! to talk about the busy travel weekend ahead.

Berg explains that summer travel prices have decreased, as airfares are down 18% in the US and hotel and rental car prices remain in line with previous years: “So those travelers who are getting away are definitely able to expand those travel budgets into things like activities and maybe some nice dinners out rather than spending as much on accommodations and flights.”

For those who are looking for last-minute deals, Berg explains that those looking to fly should book now. She points to round-trip deals under $100 from major cities like New York to Nashville, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach. She explains that airfare will be the cheapest and security lines will be shortest on July 4th. She also notes that return flights will be cheapest mid-week.

For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Wealth!

This post was written by Melanie Riehl

Video Transcript

Whether you’re hitting the road or flying high in the skies.

Americans can expect a hectic travel weekend for this Fourth of July, more than 24 million people are expected to fly out of us.

Airports from July 3rd until July 9th.

That’s a 7% increase from this time last year according to Hopper data.

And here to weigh in on the busy travel a week ahead.

I’m joined by Haley Berg Hopper, lead economist Haley always enjoy our conversations here.

They’re aspirational, they’re real and we gotta dive into some of the nitty gritty data here on the expectations.

What are we expecting for this July 4th week and holiday kind of all in when we think about travel, we’re expecting most travelers to have gotten really good prices, which is the best news about this Fourth of July weekend.

After a couple years of very expensive summer travel airfare is down 18% in the US.

Hotel prices are very much in line with previous years as our rental car prices.

So those travelers who are getting away are definitely able to expand those travel budgets into things like activities and maybe some nice dinners out rather than spending as much on accommodations and flights.

Ok.

So let’s talk about some of those last minute deals that might be able to save people some money on their trips.

What are some of those deals that people should be leaning into or looking for?

If you are planning to fly and you haven’t booked yet for Fourth of July, you do need to book now.

Story continues

It’s pretty late in the game here, but there are still deals available.

I just looked this morning, we’re still seeing Nashville Charleston Myrtle Beach under $100 round trip over the long weekend from major cities like New York.

So there are deals available.

You need to be flexible fly on the fourth.

That’s when airfare will be the cheapest and lines will be the shortest and try to come back midweek on the seventh or eighth, midweek following the long weekend, fewer crowds.

And that’s where the best deals will be.