A record number of Americans traveled during the July 4th holiday, with 72.2 million people hitting the road and skies. This represents a 2.4% increase over last year and significantly surpasses pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Suzanne Towner and George Brook, traveling in their RV, stopped for lunch at a rest area along Interstate 29 north of Kansas City on July 4th. The couple, originally from Florida, have been touring the country for over a month. Their journey began in Laramie, Wyoming, and their holiday stop was at Suzanne's niece's home south of Kansas City. "So far, the roads have been pretty good. There's some construction, but overall the traffic has been manageable," Suzanne commented.
Skip and Taylor Zinn, a father and son duo, were riding their motorcycles back to Harrisonville from Iowa. Their main concern wasn't their own safety, but that of other drivers. "We've seen our share of bad drivers out there, which isn't unusual," Skip remarked.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported that around 62 million people opted to travel by car, the highest number ever recorded. AAA noted a steady increase in holiday travel since the pandemic and advised motorists to thoroughly check their vehicles, carry emergency kits, and fill their gas tanks before departing. In previous years, AAA has responded to almost 700,000 incidents during the July 4th week, ranging from dead batteries and flat tires to lockouts. AAA support teams will be on standby throughout the holiday to assist with any issues.
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Americans celebrate the Fourth of July in Santa Barbara, California. Photo: Celebrate 4th of july |
Americans celebrate the Fourth of July in Santa Barbara, California. Photo: Celebrate 4th of july
Despite fluctuations due to geopolitical tensions and the approaching hurricane season, gas prices this summer remain the lowest since 2021.
In Texas, the route from Houston to Galveston is notorious for holiday congestion. From July 3rd to 6th, state authorities will conduct a special patrol operation targeting speeding, drunk driving, and other traffic violations. Last year, over 5,000 tickets were issued in just a few days.
Air travel also saw a surge, with over 5.8 million Americans flying during the holiday, breaking last year's record. The average domestic airfare is currently 810 USD, a slight 4% increase from last year. Experts recommend flying on Tuesday or Wednesday to save money and avoid crowds.
In addition to cars and planes, approximately 4.8 million people traveled by train, bus, or cruise ship, nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels.
Popular domestic destinations included Orlando, Seattle, and New York. Alaskan cruises were in high demand, while Hawaii remained a top choice for beachgoers.
Internationally, Rome, Paris, London, and Vancouver saw a large influx of American tourists.
Traffic data indicates that departure time significantly impacts travel experiences. The afternoons and early evenings of July 2nd and 6th are predicted to be the most congested. Departing before noon is recommended.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics reveal that around 254 fatal crashes occur annually between 9 PM and 10 PM in Texas, representing over 6% of the state's total and the highest among the 10 most populous states.
Anh Minh (Dallas Express, CnTraveller)
