The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts nearly 71 million travelers during the week of July 4th, marking a 5% increase from 2023 and an 8% rise over pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This year's extended Independence Day travel forecast sets a new record, with 70.9 million people expected to journey 50 miles or more from home.

Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, highlighted the impact of remote work flexibility and summer vacations, stating, "More Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day. We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019."

AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over the holiday week, an increase of 2.8 million from last year. This surpasses the 55.3 million who traveled by car in 2019. Hertz, AAA's car rental partner, reports high rental demand in cities like Dallas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with the busiest pick-up days expected to be June 28, June 29, and July 3. Lower gas prices, currently below last year's national average of $3.53, are also encouraging more road travel.

Air travel is set to break records as well, with 5.74 million people expected to fly to their destinations. This represents a 7% increase from last year and a 12% rise from 2019. AAA data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, with an average roundtrip ticket costing $800. To navigate the busy airports, AAA advises arriving two hours early, reserving parking in advance, and opting for carry-on luggage to save time and money.

Additionally, over 4.6 million people are anticipated to travel by bus, cruise, or train, a 9% increase from last year but slightly below 2019's figure of 4.79 million. The cruising industry continues its strong recovery post-pandemic, with Alaska cruises in high demand, making Seattle and Anchorage top destinations. Cruise travelers are also finding deals as new ships enter the market, leading some lines to offer discounts on older inventory.

International Visitors
This year, the U.S. expects a significant influx of travelers, both domestic and international, marking a robust and record-breaking summer travel season.

In April, the U.S. saw 5,889,335 foreign visitors, a 5.2% increase from April 2023, and accounting for 83.6% of the pre-COVID visitor volume in April 2019. This uptick signals a robust return of international travel, contributing to the bustling summer travel season.