Nearly 71 million people expected to travel during July 4 holiday

The American Automobile Association (AAA) released a projection expecting nearly 70 million people to travel 50 miles or more during Fourth of July week.

The North Central region of the U.S., which includes Ohio, is expected to have about 11.4 million travelers by automobile which includes cars, trucks, vans, etc. The total amount of travel in the region is projected to be 12.6 million.

“Americans are embracing the opportunity to travel over the Independence Day holiday in record-breaking numbers,” Bevi Powell, senior vice president of AAA East Central said. “Whether by car, plane, or train, we are seeing more people planning extended trips over the holiday to celebrate with family and friends.”

The top three travel destinations within the U.S. are expected to be Seattle, Wash., Orlando, Fla. and Anchorage, Alaska, according to AAA booking data.

What are the best times to drive?

Traveling by car is expected to be the most popular method of travel. AAA projects over 60 million people to be on the road during the Fourth of July week.

AAA’s transportation data expects the most traffic to be between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on July 4. The best time to drive is recommended to be before noon. During the weekend following July 4, AAA recommends getting an early start with the best traffic conditions to be before 10 a.m.

Drivers are recommended to map out routes in advance and secure car seats and other loose items to have safe a safe journey.

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This story was originally published June 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM.