Travel records predicted for July 4th holiday

It looks like 2024 will be a record-setting year for Floridians traveling for the Independence Day holiday according to top forecasters.

AAA – The Auto Club Group, projects travelers will set new records both nationwide and in Florida this Fourth of July. According to AAA, more than 70.9 million people around the country are expected to travel 50-plus miles away from home, with nearly 4.5 million being Floridians.

“The summer travel season is off to a hot start and we expect to set new travel records on the road and in the sky during the week of Independence Day,” stated Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA, in a release. “There will be 3.5 million more travelers than last year. That means even more people at airports and popular attractions like beaches, lakes, and theme parks.”

AAA’s Independence Day travel forecast measures domestic trips of 50 miles or more during a nine-day period from June 29 to July 7.

Experts state that despite concerns about inflation, total travel is increasing on growth in consumer confidence, wages, and continued strength in consumer spending.

AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week, up from 2.8 million last year. This year’s number also surpasses 2019, when 55.3 million people traveled by car during the period.

Road travel in Florida will set a record for the second consecutive year, as more than 3.9 million Floridians are expected to take a road trip (up 183,000 more than last year).

“Road travelers should prepare for congestion in the afternoon and evening hours, particularly near larger metro areas, theme parks and popular attractions,” stated Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, in a release. “With so many people on the road it’s important to be patient, minimize distractions while driving, and move over for people on the roadside.”

When it comes to the skies, the number of domestic air travelers is also expected to set a record. Nationally, AAA projects 5.74 million people will fly to their July 4th destinations — an increase of nearly 7% compared to last year and a 12% increase from 2019.

AAA booking data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, and the average price for a domestic round-trip ticket is $800. Airports will be packed throughout the week. AAA recommends arriving 2 hours early, reserving parking ahead of time, and traveling with carry-on luggage versus checked bags to save time and money.

More than 4.6 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as buses, cruises, and trains. This category is seeing an increase of 9% compared to last year, but shy of 2019’s figure of 4.79 million.

“Cruising continues experiencing remarkable growth,” Haas stated. “This time of year, Alaska cruises are in high demand, making Seattle and Anchorage top domestic destinations. Cruise travelers are also finding deals this summer. With new ships coming onto the market — and going for a premium — working with a Travel Advisor is a great way to ensure you’re getting the best value for your vacation. Travel Advisors are also able to help you choose a travel insurance policy that protects you and your investment for the impact of unexpected events before and during your trip.”

According to experts at INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, the worst times to travel by car before and on July 4th are between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Experts state you should hit the road in the morning, and travelers returning on Monday should avoid rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon.

“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,” stated Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, in a release. “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.”

AAA urges drivers to make sure their vehicle is ready for the road, expecting to rescue nearly 800,000 stranded motorists during the nine-day holiday period. The most common problems AAA expects stranded motorists to have are dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts.

“The hotter summer months take a toll on your vehicle’s battery and tires,” said Jenkins. “That’s why it’s so important to get a pre-trip vehicle inspection. Doing so could uncover potential vehicle problems that might not otherwise reveal themselves until your trip.”

On the water

According to the nationwide TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet, the busiest time of the year for America’s recreational boat owners is “hands down” the Fourth of July holiday period. It also may be the longest time many boaters will spend the day on the water at anchor, enjoying fireworks shows, fishing holes and raft-ups.

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water provided four tips to help boaters spend America’s birthday safely at anchor.

1. Be anchor smart. Before heading out, is your anchoring gear is up to snuff? Bitter end secured? You may not have used it yet this boating season, so be sure all is good to go for whatever anchoring arrangement. When arriving to your celebration spot and setting anchor, ensure you let out enough scope for the depth and predicted weather conditions. Show some courtesy if things get crowded.

2. Avoid CO poisoning. Generators give boaters the creature comforts they want. However, don’t run the generator if you’ve got swimmers in the water at the back of the boat. This is where exhaust ports often located, spewing dangerous, odorless carbon monoxide

3. Don’t stress it. It’s a long day on the water. Be careful with stressors including noise, vibration, sun, wind, waves and other motion. U.S. Coast Guard research shows that four hours of exposure to these can produce a kind of fatigue, or “boater’s hypnosis,” which slows reaction time almost as much as if you were legally drunk. Adding alcohol makes it worse. For your boat, don’t stress your battery playing music all day.

4. Get home safely. Before departing an anchorage, wait to turn on the engine until everyone is back aboard and ladder is up. If you’re leaving a fireworks show, proceed with utmost caution. It’s always better to wait a few minutes for everyone to clear out and give a chance for wakes to subside before departing. Be patient and, again, give as much courtesy as you can. Everyone aboard should be acting as a lookout. Never take a shortcut home after dark.

According to the American Boating Association, the Fourth of July, along with Memorial Day and Labor Day, typically account for more than one-third of all boating-related accidents and fatalities.

Experts state that with more than 85 million Americans who go boating each year, the holiday weekend is one of the busiest and most dangerous times of the boating season and brings an increased risk of accidents, either from human error or lack of training and experience with the vessel.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is participating in Operation Dry Water for heightened BUI enforcement, and education on the dangers of impaired boating.

Operation Dry Water is a year-round national effort to educate recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A heightened enforcement weekend July 4 through 6 will see FWC and other law enforcement partners focusing efforts on Boating Under the Influence detection and enforcement.

“The mission of Operation Dry Water is to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water,” FWC officials stated. “The FWC has been involved with the Operation Dry Water campaign since its inception in 2009 and this year will continue to play a vital role in protecting lives, promoting safe boating practices, ensuring legal compliance and fostering a culture of responsible behavior on the water during the Operation Dry Water weekend taking place July 4-6.”

Experts state that alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and leading contributor to boating accidents. Officials said operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and the use of both legal and illegal drugs impairs judgement and reaction time that can lead to series injuries and consequences. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, the same as in a vehicle.

During Operation Dry Water weekend, boating safety advocates, volunteers and law enforcement personnel will collaborate to educate boaters on safe boating practices at marinas and on the water in every U.S. state and territory. The FWC and other participating law enforcement agencies will work to identify and remove dangerous or impaired vessel operators. Last year, FWC law enforcement officers removed 94 impaired operators from Florida waterways during Operation Dry Water.

“The Fourth of July is one of the busiest boating holidays in the country,” said Col. Brian Smith, Director of FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement, in a release. “And with more than a million registered recreational vessels in Florida, our officers are committed to ensuring the safety of everyone on the water. We will be educating the public in the days leading up to the holiday and will increase patrols statewide looking for any signs of boater impairment.”

FWC reminds boaters that the best way to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water is to choose to remain sober and alert, to wear a life jacket and take a boating education course.

More information about boating and boating regulations in Florida can be found by visiting MyFWC.com/Boating.