AAA predicts record travel for week of July 4

COLUMBUS, Ohio — This year’s projected travel numbers are hitting it out of the park with a 5% increase of travelers from last year and an 8% increase from 2019.

Millions of families are traveling this Fourth of July holiday. AAA is expecting to see record travel numbers. This is the first year that the reputable travel organization included the Saturday before July 4 and the Sunday after in their predictions. More than 60 million people plan to travel by car, which is an increase of almost three million compared to last year. 

AAA predicts a few reasons for the increase. Gas prices are a little lower this year compared to last year, with the national average hovering around $3.50 a gallon compared to $3.53 in 2023. The flexibility of remote work has contributed to the increase when comparing pre-pandemic levels. While inflation still affects millions of Americans, prices for rental cars and airfare have come down compared to prices this time last year. 

Kara Hitchens, of AAA Club Alliance Ohio, said that the biggest driver for travelers seems to be the ability and freedom to travel versus when they couldn’t because of pandemic restrictions. 

“As people came out of the pandemic, and the pandemic was pretty devastating, if you think about it, for many, many millions of people. People want to get back together, make those memories, get together with family and friends and keep those traditions alive, great traditions that you had as a kid,” said Hitchens. “Parents want to recreate those for their children.”

If you plan to get on the road for July 4, here are a couple of things you want to keep in mind. 

• Get your car looked at before hitting the road (tire pressure, engine, oil, filters, etc.)

• Secure loose items in case of a sudden stop to avoid shoes, toys or clothes to go flying toward the windshield. 

• Pack an emergency kit with first aid supplies, water, snacks, blankets, jumper cables and flares.

• Pack your patience, because there will be a lot of people on the road, so expect patches of traffic during unusual times. 

• Map out your route so you know the best places to stop and use the bathroom, get something to eat or give the family a travel break

The AAA website also has a list of the best and worst times to get on the road for your trip.