The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects that 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Independence Day holiday period, which runs from June 27 to July 5, 2026. This figure surpasses last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers and sets a new all-time high.

According to Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, traveling during the Fourth of July holiday has become a longstanding tradition for many Americans. “The nine-day forecast period includes both travelers taking weeklong vacations and those enjoying a long holiday weekend. While the growth in traveler numbers appears to be leveling off, we still expect record travel volumes this year,” Barber said.

Road Travel Remains the Preferred Option

AAA estimates that 61.4 million people will travel by car during the holiday period, nearly matching last year’s total of 61.3 million road travelers. As a result, approximately 85% of all Independence Day travelers are expected to drive to their destinations.

Despite gasoline prices reaching their highest levels in four years, road travel remains the most popular option. Industry experts note that driving is still more economical than flying for many travelers, particularly families with children.

Car rental company Hertz expects Thursday, July 2, to be the busiest pickup day of the holiday period. Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City are among the destinations experiencing the strongest rental demand. According to AAA booking data, car rental prices are approximately 10% higher than during the same holiday period last year.

Air Travel Shows Modest Growth

AAA forecasts that 5.85 million travelers will fly domestically during the Independence Day holiday week, representing a modest 0.2% increase compared with last year. Air travelers account for approximately 8% of all holiday travelers.

AAA data indicate that round-trip airfare to popular destinations such as Chicago and Denver is about 5% higher than a year ago. The average domestic airline ticket currently costs around $830.

Cruises and Rail Travel Continue to Expand

The strongest growth is expected in the category that includes buses, trains, and cruise travel. AAA projects that 4.93 million Americans will use these modes of transportation, representing a 5.3% increase over last year.

This figure also exceeds the pre-pandemic level of 4.79 million travelers recorded in 2019. The continuing surge in cruise demand is cited as the primary driver of this growth.

Most Popular Destinations

Major U.S. cities such as New York, Chicago, and Boston remain among the most popular destinations during the Independence Day holiday period. With Alaska’s cruise season reaching its peak, Seattle, Anchorage, and Fairbanks are also attracting significant numbers of visitors.

Florida continues to rank highly due to its theme parks, beaches, and cruise ports. Internationally, Vancouver tops the list of preferred destinations, followed by major European cities including Rome, Dublin, Paris, and London.

Road Safety Concerns

AAA is urging travelers to prioritize road safety during the busy holiday period. According to the organization’s traffic safety analysis, nearly one-third of summertime traffic fatalities involve impaired drivers.

As a result, AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are encouraging motorists to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to arrange safe transportation in advance.

During last year’s Independence Day holiday week, AAA responded to more than 687,000 roadside assistance calls. Approximately half of those cases required towing services, while nearly one-third involved battery failures or flat tires.

Expected Traffic Peaks

Transportation analytics company INRIX predicts that the heaviest traffic congestion will begin on Thursday, July 2. In major metropolitan areas such as Boston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, congestion is expected to peak as early as Saturday, June 27.

Transportation experts advise travelers seeking to avoid severe traffic delays to depart early in the morning or, when possible, schedule their trips for Monday or Tuesday.