Record 72.2 million Americans expected to travel over Fourth of July holiday, AAA says
Drivers are encouraged to leave early to avoid heavy traffic, while morning flights offer the best chance of staying on schedule.
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A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel over the Fourth of July holiday, according to AAA.
The organization says about 85% of travelers — or 61.4 million people — will drive to their destinations.
There is some good news for motorists: Gas prices continue to decline. The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey is now $3.86. While prices remain higher than they were at this time last year, they are down from earlier this year, when regular gas cost less than $3 a gallon before the conflict with Iran.
AAA recommends drivers leave for their destinations in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic. On most travel days, motorists should leave before 11 a.m. or noon. On the Fourth of July, however, AAA says the best time to travel is after 3 p.m.
For those flying, AAA recommends booking morning flights, which are more likely to depart on schedule. The organization says the chances of delays and cancellations increase later in the day as earlier disruptions create a domino effect. Sundays and Thursdays historically have the highest likelihood of flight disruptions during the summer, while Saturdays and Tuesdays have the lowest.
Seattle is expected to be the most popular domestic destination for the holiday weekend, followed by Orlando, Anchorage, Miami and New York City. AAA says Alaska cruise season helps drive travel to the Pacific Northwest, while Fourth of July celebrations draw large crowds to cities across the country.
AAA also reminds travelers to take steps to protect their homes while they are away, noting that burglars often target homes left empty during holiday travel.
