July 4 holiday travel is expected to increase 40% compared to last year, reaching the second-highest travel volume on record for the period, the AAA auto club said.
More than 47.7 million Americans will take to the nation’s roadways and skies this Independence Day period (July 1-5), as travel volumes are expected to nearly fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, AAA said.
"In fact, this will be the second-highest Independence Day travel volume on record, trailing only 2019," the organization said.
"Overall, just 2.5% fewer Americans are expected to travel this year compared to Independence Day in 2019. This represents an increase of nearly 40% compared to last year, when total travel fell to 34.2 million."
While all modes of travel will see increased demand, road trips will continue to dominate this summer.
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Despite the highest gas prices in seven years, more than 91% of holiday travel will be by car, AAA said.
An expected 43.6 million Americans will drive to their destinations, the highest on record for this holiday and 5% more than the previous record set in 2019.
With 3.5 million people planning to fly, air travel volumes this Independence Day will reach 90% of pre-pandemic levels and increase 164% compared to last year.
“Travel is in full swing this summer, as Americans eagerly pursue travel opportunities they’ve deferred for the last year-and-a-half,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA travel.
“We saw strong demand for travel around Memorial Day and the kickoff of summer, and all indications now point to a busy Independence Day to follow.”
Another 620,000 Americans are expected to travel by other modes this Independence Day, an increase of over 72% compared to last year, but 83% lower than in 2019.
This includes travel by bus and train, and also the return of cruising. Cruise lines have announced limited sailings resuming from U.S. ports beginning Saturday.
Prepare for higher prices
While AAA found average airfares have declined 2% compared to last Independence Day, travelers can expect to find higher prices for hotels and car rentals as demand climbs.
Mid-range hotel rates have increased between 32% and 35%, with average nightly rates ranging between $156 and $398 for AAA Two Diamond and AAA Three Diamond hotels, respectively.
Daily car rental rates have increased 86% compared to last Independence Day, topping out at $166. Consumers have experienced high costs and limited availability of rental cars in some markets, due to a semiconductor shortage affecting auto manufacturers, AAA said.
This production delay has presented a domino effect as rental car companies work to increase their inventory of new vehicles in time to meet the increased demand for domestic road travel.
The 43.6 million Americans expected to travel by car this Independence Day can expect gas prices to be the most expensive since 2014 with the national average likely to remain above $3 per gallon.
“Higher gas prices won’t deter road trippers this summer. In fact, we’re expecting record-breaking levels of car travel,” AAA spokeswoman Jeanette C. McGee said of the holiday period.
“Though prices will remain above $3 a gallon, travelers are likely to look for more free activities or eat out less but still take their vacations as planned.”
Traffic worries with mix of commuters, vacationers
INRIX, a roadway analytics company, in collaboration with AAA, predicts drivers will experience the worst congestion heading into the holiday weekend as commuters leave work early and mix with holiday travelers, along with the return trip on Monday midday.
Major metro areas across the U.S. could see nearly double the delays verses typical drive times, with drivers in Boston and San Francisco likely to experience nearly three times the delays.
“With travelers eager to hit the road this summer, we’re expecting nationwide traffic volumes to increase about 15% over normal this holiday weekend. Drivers around major metro areas must be prepared for significantly more delay,” said Bob Pishue, INRIX transportation analyst. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic.
"Our advice is to avoid traveling on Thursday and Friday afternoon, along with Monday mid-day.”
Daily worst and best times to travel
Thursday, worst: 3-5 p.m.
Best: After 7 p.m.
Friday, worst: 4-5 p.m.
Best: Before noon
Saturday, worst: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Best: After 2 p.m.
Sunday, free flow expected
Monday, worst: 4-5 p.m.
Best: Before 1 p.m.
Source: INRIX
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