4th of July travel outlook

The 4th of July is Thursday which means travelers are flocking to the skies and hitting the road to get to their holiday destinations.

Officials with AAA say around 60 million travelers will be driving this year, that’s more than 2 million more drivers compared to the same time last year.

“It’s being fueled by good travel conditions. There are deals to be had, and ever since the pandemic restrictions lifted, people year per year have wanted to get back in the tradition of traveling, particularly through large events like 4th of July weekend,” says John Treanor, the Nevada spokesman for AAA.

With so many travelers expected to be on the road over the next few days, Treanor says if you want to beat the traffic it’s best to head out early.

“So when it comes to the busiest travel times, really, we’re looking at the 3rd of July, the day before 4th. That’s the busiest travel to get to your destination. Really between the hours of 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. are going to be the busiest travel time, so if you can… if you’re heading out, get out early.”

You’ll want to make sure your vehicle is in good shape, as the hot summer weather could have an impact on how well your car drives.

“We recommend getting your car serviced or doing some stuff at home, just to make sure your car is ready for that road trip.”

For those catching a flight, Reno-Tahoe International Airport has seen nearly 18,000 passengers this week, with even more expected July 3rd, and 7th.