This year, July 4th falls on a Friday for the first time in more than a decade. And if you plan to travel during the extended holiday, know that you’re not alone.
A record 72.2 million people will travel from June 28 to July 6, according to AAA projections. The agency says this represents 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 4th is one of the most popular times to travel,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, in a press release. “Since the holiday falls on a Friday, travelers have the option of making an extended holiday or taking the whole week to create memories with family and friends.”
AAA predicts record numbers of people traveling by air and car. The vast majority, 61.6 million people, are expected to drive to their destinations, 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.
This 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 alert device, like flares or reflectors.
“In the last week of July 4th, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside emergency calls for issues like dead batteries and flat tires, as well as people locking themselves out of their cars or running out of gas,” the organization states.
Gas prices this summer are at their lowest levels since 2021, according to AAA. Drivers can use sites like TollGuru and GasBuddy to find the cheapest fuel stops along their routes.
AAA also recommends mapping your route, filling up the tank, and packing the trunk a day before departure, so you only need to worry about getting a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast.
Even if you’re not sleepy during the trip, plan to take a break—whether by switching drivers or stopping for a short rest—every two hours or 100 miles. Here are more NPR Life Kit tips for road safety.
And Dieringer warns not to let your guard down after the fireworks end: 2024 Allstate Roadside data shows that July 5 is the busiest day of summer for vehicle breakdowns—second only to December 26—with 50% more calls than average.
“The upside is that 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 from July 1 to 7.
The agency expects Sunday, July 6, to be the busiest day, with a projected 2.9 million passengers passing through its checkpoints.
The TSA is preparing for peak season “by implementing technologies and procedures to improve security and the passenger experience, including for families.” But it asks travelers to do their part too.
“We ask travelers to be patient, especially during peak days, as we work to provide the utmost hospitality to our customers,” said TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill in a statement.
The agency is reminding passengers to bring their original REAL ID document or an acceptable alternative, which is required for flying starting in early May. And it recommends reviewing your travel checklist—and baggage 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 for TSA PreCheck.
The agency also recommends allowing extra time to get to the airport due to holiday traffic. Most airlines recommend arriving at the airport two hours before the scheduled departure time.
The five busiest airports for departures during the holiday are Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, and Los Angeles, according to travel booking platform Hopper. The agency says the peak times for departures will be between 8 a.m. and noon.
And if you have any flexibility, the recommendation is to fly as early as possible.
“In general, flights departing after 9 a.m. are twice as likely to be delayed as flights scheduled between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.,” Hopper says.
If you need a hotel
The top domestic destinations for this year’s July 4 holiday 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 away from home or looking for a last-minute stay.
The agency says hotels in big cities often drop prices to fill empty rooms as check-in approaches, though there may also be last-minute deals in cities that tend to empty out over the weekend. Either way, it recommends booking 12 to 48 hours in advance to secure the best deal.
Source: npr.org by Rachel Treisman