Heading out of town for the July 4th holiday? Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
The July 4th travel crush has already begun, and experts at AAA predict record-breaking travel over the holiday week.
The American Automobile Association projects that 70.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home between June 29 and July 7, a 5 percent increase from last year and 8 percent more than in 2019, before travel numbers plunged during the pandemic.
A record 60.6 million people will travel by car, 2.8 million more than last year. Air travel is also expected to break records, with a projected 5.74 million people flying over the holiday — a 7 percent increase over 2023 and a 12 percent increase compared to 2019, according to AAA.
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“With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, in a statement. “We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever, with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019.”
In the Boston area, congestion is expected to peak on Thursday at 1:45 p.m. southbound on Route 3.
According to INRIX, a company that monitors and analyzes traffic data, the worst times to travel by car before and on July 4 are between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. INRIX recommends that travelers leave in the morning to avoid congestion. Returning travelers on Monday, July 8, should avoid morning and afternoon rush-hour traffic.
“Drivers in large metro areas can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3rd, as they leave town, and Sunday, July 7th, as they return,” said Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, in a statement. “Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67 percent longer than normal. Travelers should monitor 511 services, local news stations, and traffic apps for up-to-the-minute road conditions.”
AAA also predicts that 4.6 million people will travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. That’s a 9 percent increase from 2023 but less than the 4.79 million travelers in 2019.
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“Cruising continues its remarkable post-pandemic comeback,” AAA said in a statement. “This time of year, Alaska cruises are in high demand, making Seattle and Anchorage top domestic destinations.”
Jacqueline Munis can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @MunisJacqueline.