Record-Breaking 4th of July Travel

2025 Independence Day Travel Forecast

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans are hitting the road, skies, rails, and seas in record numbers this Independence Day holiday, according to AAA’s latest travel forecast. Over 72.2 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home between Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, July 6, making this the busiest Fourth of July travel period on record.

This year’s forecast includes two full weekends to reflect the way travelers are stretching their getaways, especially with the July 4th holiday falling on a Friday. That flexibility, paired with strong travel demand across the country, means highways, airports, and tourist hot spots will be buzzing.

“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4th is one of the most popular times to get away,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Following Memorial Day’s record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week.”

🚗 Road Trips Still Rule

By Car:
An estimated 61.6 million Americans will hit the road this July 4th—1.3 million more than last year, and the highest number ever recorded. Despite slight increases in gas prices due to international events and early hurricane season concerns, fuel remains cheaper than previous summers, thanks to relatively low crude oil prices.

AAA recommends getting your vehicle checked and packing an emergency kit before your road trip. Last year alone, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside emergencies during the same holiday period.

🛑 Top Tip: Renters, take note—Thursday, July 3rd is expected to be the busiest day for car pickups, with hot rental markets including Orlando, Denver, Boston, Oahu, and Seattle.

✈️ Flying Sets New Records Too

By Air:
AAA projects 5.84 million travelers will fly this holiday week, a new record and a 1.4% increase over last year. That number represents 8% of all travelers—proof that demand for air travel continues to soar past pre-pandemic levels.

According to AAA’s booking data, roundtrip domestic airfare is averaging $810, about 4% more than last year. Travelers can still find deals by flying mid-week or choosing less popular departure times.

🚂 Cruises, Trains, and Buses Also Surge

By Other Modes (Bus, Train, Cruise):
AAA expects 4.78 million travelers to take to the rails, buses, or set sail—up 7.4% from 2024. Cruises are driving much of the growth, especially Alaska cruises during their peak summer season.

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