This year, July 4 falls on a Friday for the first time in more than a decade. And if you’re planning a trip during the long weekend, you’re not alone.
A record 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between June 28 and July 6, according to AAA projections. That’s an increase of 1.7 million domestic travelers compared to the same period last year.
“Summer is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4 is one of the most popular times to travel,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, in a press release. “With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option to turn it into a long weekend or take the whole week off to create memories with family and friends.”
AAA predicts record numbers of people traveling by both plane and car. The vast majority — 61.6 million people — are expected to drive to their destination, while another 5.84 million will fly.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re one of them.
If You’re Driving
If you’re driving your own car, AAA recommends performing routine vehicle maintenance and preparing an emergency kit before hitting the road.
That kit should contain items such as: a first-aid kit, basic tools, a blanket, a car cell phone charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, paper towels or wet wipes, drinking water, snacks, jumper cables, duct tape, an ice scraper, and some type of emergency warning device, like road flares or reflectors.
“During last year’s July 4 week, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside assistance calls for issues like dead batteries and flat tires, as well as people who locked their keys in the car or ran out of fuel,” the organization says.
Gasoline prices this summer are at the lowest level since 2021, according to AAA. Drivers can use sites like TollGuru and GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas stations along their route.
AAA also recommends mapping your route, filling up the tank, and packing the trunk the day before departure, so you only need to worry about getting a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast.
Even if you don’t feel sleepy during the trip, you should plan to take a break — alternating drivers or stopping for a short rest — every two hours or 100 miles. Here are more road safety tips and don’ts from NPR’s Life Kit.
And Ed Dieringer warns not to let your guard down after the fireworks: 2024 data from Allstate Roadside shows that July 5 is the busiest day of summer for vehicle breakdowns — the second highest, behind only December 26 — with 50% more calls than average.
“On the bright side, about half of roadside emergencies don’t require towing,” he added. “If you have a flat tire or dead battery, lock your keys in the car, or run out of fuel, someone with the right tools and skills can help you get back on the road quickly.”
If You’re Flying
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says it’s prepared to screen more than 18.5 million travelers at airports nationwide between July 1 and 7.
It expects Sunday, July 6, to be its busiest day, with a projected 2.9 million passengers passing through checkpoints.
The TSA says it’s preparing for the peak “by deploying technologies and procedures to improve security and enhance the passenger experience, including for families.” But it’s also asking travelers to do their part.
“We ask travelers to be patient, especially on peak travel days, as we work to provide the utmost hospitality to our customers,” said Ha Nguyen McNeill, TSA acting administrator, in a statement.
The agency is reminding passengers to bring their Real ID or an acceptable alternative, which is required for flying starting in early May. And it recommends reviewing your travel checklist — and packing guidelines — to save time at the airport.
The trade group Airlines for America (A4A) encourages travelers to download their airline’s mobile app for real-time alerts and updates, book airport parking in advance if possible, and ensure their Known Traveler Number (KTN) is linked to the reservation to use TSA PreCheck.
It also recommends allowing extra time to get to the airport, factoring in holiday traffic. Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport two hours before the scheduled departure time.
The five busiest departure airports during the holiday are Atlanta, Dallas Fort-Worth, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, and Los Angeles, according to the Hopper travel booking platform. It says the busiest departure times will be between 8 a.m. and noon.
And if you have any flexibility, it recommends flying as early as possible in the morning.
“In general, flights departing after 9 a.m. are 2X more likely to be delayed than departures scheduled between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.,” Hopper says.
If You Need a Hotel
This year’s top domestic July 4 destinations include Orlando, Seattle, New York, Denver, Boston, Miami, and Atlanta, according to AAA booking data.
Hopper says it’s not too late to book a hotel room — whether you’re far from home or looking for a last-minute stay in town.
It says hotels in big cities usually drop prices to fill empty rooms as the check-in date approaches, while there may also be last-minute hotel deals in cities that tend to empty out over the weekend. Either way, it recommends booking 12 to 48 hours in advance to get the best deal.
Source: npr.org by Rachel Treisman