Travelers heading out for the July 4 holiday can expect to be joined by many others this year.
According to AAA, nearly 71 million people will be traveling over the July 4th week, setting a new record that surpasses pre-pandemic numbers.
“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.”
AAA reports that approximately 60.6 million people will travel by car over the holiday, which is up nearly 5% from last year. Gas prices, at $3.51 a gallon, are slightly lower than last year’s $3.54. Considering that inflation has risen more than 3% over the period, the relative cost for drivers is even more significant.
Air travelers are also expected to set a new record, with AAA projecting 5.74 million people flying to their July 4th destinations, a 7% increase from last year.
AAA booking data indicates that domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to 2023, with the average price for a domestic round trip ticket being $800.
The booming travel numbers are further evidenced by the Transportation Security Administration screening data, which set a daily record last week with more than 2.9 million flyers processed.
Despite the U.S. economy slowing, it continues to show signs of solid growth. The Commerce Department reported last week that spending on travel, restaurant meals, and other services rose at a 3.3% rate in the first quarter of the year, a robust rate that is occurring alongside decelerating inflation.
