AAA predicts that nearly 71 million people in total will travel more than 50 miles to reach their vacation destination this year, a 5% increase from last year.
MINNEAPOLIS — Transportation experts are expecting record numbers of travelers during this year's July Fourth holiday, projecting millions of people traveling by air and land.
AAA predicted Nearly 71 million people in total will travel more than 50 miles to reach their holiday destination this year, a 5% increase from last year.
“With summer vacations in full swing and remote work becoming a form of flexibility, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “We expect the Fourth of July week to be our busiest ever, with 5.7 million more people traveling than in 2019.”
The travel agency said it expects about 60.6 million people to hit the road — 28 million more than in 2023 — while about 5.7 million are expected to fly. AAA said the busiest day ahead is likely to be Wednesday, July 3.
“Drivers in major metropolitan areas can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3, as they leave the city, and Sunday, July 7, as they return,” said Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, which provides transportation data and insights.
INRIX data shows that Interstate 94W from western Wisconsin to Minneapolis will reach its peak congestion period on Monday, July 8, around 4:45 p.m.
THE United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) is also predicting a record Independence Day travel season, as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) estimates a 5.4% increase over last year.
“This year's record air travel is another good sign for our economy as more Americans take to the skies,” he said. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.
According to AAA, falling gasoline prices and relatively cheap airfares could be behind the increase.
On the other side of travel, about 4.6 million people are using transportation options like buses, trains and cruises – the latter of which have seen a surge in popularity since most cruises were shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more facts and figures, visit AAA here or the USDOT here.
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