The biggest Fourth of July travel rush in U.S. history is happening right now. Some 72.2 million Americans are hitting the road, the skies and the seas during the nine-day period from June 27 through July 5. If it feels busier out there this year, that’s because it is.
This year’s total beats last year’s record of 71.8 million and it’s holding strong despite higher costs across every mode of transportation. Gas prices are at four-year highs, rental rates are up 10% from last year, and flights aren’t cheap either. Yet demand hasn’t budged.
This Fourth of July also carries extra weight. The country is marking its 250th anniversary, making this one of the most significant Independence Days in American history.
When to leave to beat the traffic
Road trips are leading the charge, with 85% of travelers driving and 61.4 million people headed to highways. That’s a lot of company on the interstate.
Transportation data firm INRIX projects the worst delays will start Thursday, July 2. The Boston-to-Hyannis corridor was expected to double its normal travel time on June 27, and Washington, D.C.’s route to Annapolis faces a 100% spike on July 3.
Seattle’s return route hits an 89% delay on July 5, and New York-area highways are running 90% above normal that same day. Your best bet: leave before late morning, or push your trip to Monday or Tuesday when traffic drops considerably.
Cruises are having their best holiday season in years
Cruises and other non-car, non-air travel are the fastest-growing category this Fourth of July. Some 4.93 million Americans are traveling by bus, train or cruise this week, up 5.3% from last year and above the pre-pandemic figure of 4.79 million in 2019.
Alaska cruises are in peak season, with Seattle and Anchorage ranking among the most popular domestic destinations. The appeal is straightforward: all-inclusive pricing means travelers know exactly what the trip costs before they leave home.
Flying or renting a car? Expect to pay more
About 5.85 million Americans are flying domestically this week. Round-trip flights to Chicago and Denver are running about 5% higher than last year, with the national average around $830 a ticket.
Rental cars are up 10% compared to last Independence Day. Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles and New York City are posting the highest demand, with Thursday, July 2 as the peak pickup day nationwide.
Where everyone is going this week
Alaska is the domestic story this year. Seattle, Anchorage and Fairbanks all rank in the top 10 most popular destinations, driven by cruise season and summer wilderness travel. Florida is well represented with Orlando and Miami, while New York, Chicago and Boston are drawing big crowds for fireworks and America 250 celebrations.
Overseas, Vancouver leads the international list, followed by Rome, Dublin, Paris and London. Many Americans are stretching the holiday window into longer European trips this summer.
Make the most of it
The crowds are real and the costs are up, but so is the occasion. This is the biggest Fourth of July travel period on record, happening during the country’s 250th anniversary. Plan around the peak travel days, book anything you haven’t locked in yet, and enjoy the ride.
Mandy is a luxury travel, fine dining and bucket-list-adventure journalist with expert insight from 46 countries. She uncovers unforgettable experiences around the world and brings them to life through immersive storytelling that blends indulgence, culture and discovery, and shares them with a global audience as co-founder of Food Drink Life. Her articles appear on MSN and through the Associated Press wire in major U.S. outlets, including NBC, the Daily News, Boston Herald, the Chicago Sun-Times and many more.