AAA: Nearly 48 Million Expected to Travel This 4th of July Weekend

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 9:55 AM

A record number of motorists are expected to travel 50 miles or more.

Shutterstock photo.

Fourth of July travel is expected to increase 3.7 percent from 2021.

According to AAA Travel, approximately 47.9 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home between Thursday, June 30 and Monday, July 4.

Car travel is expected to set a new Fourth of July weekend record despite historically high gas prices with 42 million people hitting the road.

“The volume of travelers we expect to see over Independence Day is a definite sign that summer travel is kicking into high gear,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. “Earlier this year, we started seeing the demand for travel increase and it’s not tapering off. People are ready for a break and despite things costing more, they are finding ways to still take that much needed vacation.”

AAA Travel adds that recent issues with air travel and ongoing concerns of cancellations and delays may be driving the increase in road travel.

The share of people traveling by air (3.5 million) is expected to be the lowest since 2011.

Still, prices will be high at the gas pump. As of Tuesday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline stands at $4.88.

AAA encourages travelers to get a full inspection ahead of any long trip but especially for components like a vehicle’s battery and engine. AAA expects to respond to over 446,000 calls for roadside assistance over the Independence Day holiday weekend.

For more helpful tips, visit AAA Predicts 47.9 Million People Will Travel for July 4th | AAA Newsroom.