By Global Desklast Updated
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This year’s Independence Day, falling on a Friday, is expected to set new travel records across the United States, with AAA forecasting 72.2 million domestic travelers taking to roads, rails, and skies. The surge, attributed to the long weekend created by the holiday placement, will be the highest ever recorded by the American Automobile Association for the July 4 period.Of the total projected travelers, 61.6 million are expected to drive, marking a 2.2% rise from 2023. Meanwhile, 5.84 million passengers are anticipated to take flights, representing a 1.4% increase over last year.4th of July Road Travel: Peak Congestion HoursData from transportation analytics firm INRIX suggests that the worst traffic days will be Tuesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, particularly during afternoon and early evening hours. INRIX notes that Wednesday, July 2, could see the most congestion between 12 PM and 9 PM, while July 4 itself may witness jams from 12 PM to 7 PM, as mentioned in a report by The Hill. Here’s a breakdown of worst and best travel windows:DateWorst Time to DriveBest Time to DriveSat, Jun 2812 PM – 5 PMBefore 10 AMSun, Jun 292 PM – 4 PMBefore 11 AMMon, Jun 302 PM – 6 PMBefore 12 PMTue, Jul 13 PM – 6 PMBefore 2 PMWed, Jul 212 PM – 9 PMBefore 12 PMThu, Jul 32 PM – 6 PMBefore 12 PMFri, Jul 412 PM – 7 PMBefore 12 PMSun, Jul 612 PM – 6 PMBefore 11 AMLive EventsTravelers are strongly advised to plan early departures, avoid afternoon hours, and check for weather advisories, especially in regions expecting thunderstorms or heatwaves.Flight Chaos Likely: Sunday, July 6 Expected to Be BusiestThe Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for intense pressure at airports, with the busiest day forecast to be Sunday, July 6, when more than 2.9 million flyers are expected to pass through security checkpoints — the highest in TSA’s history.Airports most likely to experience long lines and potential delays include:Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) – the busiest airport in the USLos Angeles International (LAX) – major delays expected in both domestic and international terminalsChicago O’Hare (ORD) – travelers advised to arrive 3 hours earlyDenver International (DEN) – one of the top three busiest for July 4 flyersDallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) – heavy activity on July 2 and July 6New York’s JFK and LaGuardia (JFK/LGA) – prepare for taxiway congestion and security bottlenecksMiami International (MIA) – popular with travelers heading to Latin America and Florida beachesSeattle-Tacoma (SEA) – high volume due to proximity to Canadian borderTSA is deploying additional screening staff, new AI-powered scanners, and encouraging use of PreCheck, reminding guardians that children under 12 may accompany them in expedited lanes.Airfare Trends and Top DestinationsAccording to AAA, the average domestic airfare for July 4 week is around $810, marking a 4% increase over 2023. Airports in Florida and the Northeast are expected to remain especially crowded, with popular routes flying to:Orlando, FLNew York CityAnchorage, AKSeattle, WAHonolulu, HIBoston, MAAtlanta, GAFor international flyers, Vancouver tops the list, followed by Rome, Paris, London, Barcelona, and Dublin.Highways to Avoid: Most Congested RoutesMajor interstates and expressways across cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York are expected to experience gridlock. INRIX listed key routes and times to avoid, such as:I-95: Congestion expected near Washington DC, NYC, and BostonI-5: From San Diego to LA and north toward SeattleI-80 & I-94: Midwest corridors around Chicago and MinneapolisI-4: Heavily used by Florida-bound traffic, especially Tampa to OrlandoFinal Tips for TravelersFor those flying, early morning departures, mobile boarding passes, and checking real-time airport security wait times can significantly ease stress.With millions on the move, this year’s 4th of July is shaping up not only as a celebration of independence but also as a major test of the nation’s travel infrastructure.FAQsHow many people are expected to travel this 4th of July holiday?A record 72.2 million domestic travelers are expected to travel in the U.S. during the July 4 weekend, according to AAA. This marks the highest number ever recorded for this holiday period.What is the busiest air travel day this season?Sunday, July 6, is expected to set a new TSA record with 2.9 million travelers passing through airport security.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News on4th of july4th of July travel advisoryJuly 4 weekend travelflight delays July 44th of July travel guidelines(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless
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