More than 4 millions Illinoisans to travel week around Independence Day

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Independence Day is coming up and millions of Americans are planning their vacations to celebrate the nation’s birthday.

Travel group AAA estimates 4.1 million people in Illinois will travel around the 4th of July. This is a part of almost 71 million Americans who will travel more than 50 miles for the holiday period between Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, July 7.

If their estimations are correct, that would mean a record number of people are travelling both by plane and by car. This would also mean an increase of roughly 200,000 more Illinois travelers for the holiday.

“The summer travel season is off to a hot start and we expect to set new travel records on the road and in the sky during the week of Independence Day,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA The Auto Club Group. “There will be 3.5 million more travelers than last year. That means even more people at airports and popular attractions like beaches, lakes, and theme parks.”

A transportation expert at Metro INRIX recommended traveling by car to avoid the roads on the 3rd or the 7th. Instead, they recommend hitting the road in the morning and returning on July 8.

AAA is predicting the top domestic destinations for Independence Day to include Seattle, Orlando, Anchorage, Honolulu, Miami, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Denver and Anaheim. The top international vacation spots include Vancouver, London, Rome, Dublin, Paris, Calgary, Amsterdam, Punta Cana, Athens and Barcelona.

Some of the reasons AAA notes people may visit for coastal Pacific cities is for cruising.

“Cruising continues experiencing remarkable growth,” Haas said. “This time of year, Alaska cruises are in high demand, making Seattle and Anchorage top domestic destinations.”