AAA expects record 72.2 million Americans to travel during July 4 holiday period

A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Independence Day holiday period, according to a new forecast from AAA.

The travel organization projects the nine-day holiday travel period, which runs from June 27 through July 5, will surpass last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers.

“For many Americans, traveling the week of July 4th is tradition,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “The 9-day travel forecast includes travelers who are vacationing all week and people just getting away for the long holiday weekend. While the overall number of Independence Day travelers appears to be plateauing, we’re still expecting record volumes this year.”

AAA expects 61.4 million people to travel by car, representing about 85% of all holiday travelers. That figure is nearly unchanged from last year despite higher gasoline prices.

Air travel is also expected to remain steady, with 5.85 million travelers projected to fly domestically during the holiday period, a slight increase from 2025.

The largest year-over-year growth is expected among travelers using other forms of transportation, including buses, trains and cruise ships. AAA forecasts 4.93 million people will travel by those modes, up 5.3% from last year and above pre-pandemic levels.

According to AAA, cruises continue to gain popularity because travelers know the cost upfront and can enjoy multiple destinations, dining and entertainment options in a single vacation package.

Among domestic destinations, Seattle ranks first, followed by Orlando, Anchorage, Miami and New York City. Alaska destinations remain popular due to peak cruise season, while major cities such as New York, Chicago and Boston are expected to attract visitors for Independence Day celebrations and fireworks displays.

Internationally, Vancouver tops the list, followed by Rome, Dublin, Paris and London.

AAA also urged motorists to prioritize safety during what is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The organization noted that nearly one-third of summertime traffic fatalities involve impaired drivers and encouraged travelers to arrange sober transportation if consuming alcohol or other impairing substances.

Drivers are also advised to ensure their vehicles are road-trip ready by checking tire pressure, battery condition and routine maintenance items before departing.

Traffic analytics company INRIX predicts the busiest travel days will occur during the second weekend of the holiday period, beginning Thursday, July 2. In some metropolitan areas, including Boston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, heavy congestion is expected as early as Saturday, June 27.

SOURCE: INRIX 

AAA recommends travelers leave early in the day to avoid peak traffic periods and consider traveling on Monday or Tuesday when possible.

The forecast marks the third consecutive year of record-setting Independence Day travel as Americans continue to prioritize vacations and holiday getaways despite higher transportation costs.