The Best and Worst Times To Travel This July 4

Get ready, America. This Independence Day week is shaping up to be one for the books. AAA projects a whopping 70.9 million travelers will venture 50 miles or more from home. And it’s not just the long weekend—this year’s travel period includes the entire week plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday. That’s a 5% bump from last year and an 8% leap from 2019.

“With summer vacations and remote work, more Americans are extending their trips around Independence Day,” says Paula Twidale, AAA Travel’s Senior Vice President.

She’s predicting this week to be the busiest ever, with an extra 5.7 million people on the move compared to 2019.

Most folks will be road tripping. AAA says 60.6 million people will travel by car, up 2.8 million from last year. This year’s figure even tops 2019’s 55.3 million. Where are all these drivers headed? According to AAA’s car rental partner Hertz, Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are the hot spots. Peak car rental days will be Friday, June 28, Saturday, June 29, and Wednesday, July 3.

And here’s a bit of good news: gas prices are lower than last year’s average of $3.53. They’re expected to drop even more as we get closer to July 4th, although hurricane season could change things if storms hit the Gulf Coast.

Air travel is also set to break records. AAA forecasts 5.74 million people will fly to their July 4th destinations. That’s a 7% increase from last year and a 12% jump from 2019. Domestic airfare is down 2% compared to last year, with an average roundtrip ticket costing $800. Airports will be bustling, so AAA suggests arriving two hours early, booking parking in advance, and sticking to carry-on luggage.

Other modes of travel—buses, cruises, and trains—are expected to see over 4.6 million travelers. This is a 9% increase from last year, though still a bit shy of 2019’s 4.79 million. Cruises are making a big comeback, especially to Alaska, with Seattle and Anchorage being top picks. Cruise lines are offering some sweet deals this summer, thanks to new ships hitting the market.

Best and Worst Times to Travel

Want to avoid the worst traffic?

INRIX, a transportation data guru, says the worst times to be on the road are between 2 PM and 7 PM before and on July 4th.

The best times? Mornings, of course. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Monday, Jul 1: Minimal traffic impact expected.
• Tuesday, Jul 2: Worst: 2:00 – 6:00 PM | Best: After 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, Jul 3: Worst: 2:00 – 7:00 PM | Best: Before Noon
• Thursday, Jul 4: Worst: 2:00 – 7:00 PM | Best: Before Noon
• Friday, Jul 5: Worst: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Best: Before 10:00 AM
• Saturday, Jul 6: Worst: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM | Best: Before 10:00 AM
• Sunday, Jul 7: Worst: 2:00 – 8:00 PM | Best: Before 11:00 AM
• Monday, Jul 8: Worst: 1:00 – 5:00 PM | Best: After 7:00 PM

Drivers in big cities, especially Atlanta and Los Angeles, should brace for heavy delays on July 3rd and July 7th.

Here in Boston, the busiest route and time is Boston to Hyannis on July 4th at 1:45 p.m.

Road Trip Tips

Traveling with kids? AAA and Chicco have some safety tips:

• Check car seats: Make sure they fit your child’s current size.
• Double-check installation: Use the “inch test” to ensure security.
• Secure loose items: Organize and secure everything to avoid projectiles.
• Pack an emergency kit: Include first-aid supplies, snacks, and chargers.
• Plan your route: Schedule frequent stops and map out your trip with AAA tools.
• Bring entertainment: Load up on toys, books, and a family playlist.

So, whether you’re driving, flying, or cruising, this Independence Day week is set to be a record-breaker.

Lauren Beckham Falcone is the co-host of Bob & LBF in the Morning. Formerly an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Boston Herald, she credits her current success as a pop culture commentator to watching too much TV as a kid and scouring the internet too much as an adult. LBF is a regular contributor to NECN and is an honorary board member at the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Lauren lives in Canton with her husband Dave and her daughter Lucy. Lauren writes about trending topics, New England destinations, and seasonal DIY.