AAA Expects Record July Fourth Travel Nationwide

AAA projects that over 72 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Independence Day holiday period, June 28 to July 6, setting new records for both car and air travel. Lower gasoline prices, the cheapest for this time of year since 2021 despite recent increases attributed to the Israel-Iran conflict, are fueling a surge in road trips. Major states like Texas, Michigan, and North Carolina are seeing substantial increases in travelers, with millions expected to hit the road. About 61.6 million people will travel by car, and air travel is also expected to reach all-time highs. Airports, such as DFW, are deploying technologies like facial recognition to manage crowds and reduce wait times. The historic travel boom is driven by pent-up demand, flexible work schedules, and global uncertainties, with Canadians opting for domestic trips over US travel.