Hitting the road for July 4 festivities? Expect traffic jams and packed planes
If you’re planning to hit the road this week for Fourth of July camping, boating, hiking or visiting relatives, be warned: You’ll have plenty of company out there on the road.
The data analysts over at AAA have been working overtime to crunch the numbers for all you would-be travelers — and they’re guaranteed to sent a chill down your spine.
“As Independence Day approaches, it’s time for the much-loved family road trip and this year will be one for the record books, with more Americans than ever planning vacations,” said Paula Twidale, vice president of AAA Travel. “This holiday builds on the strong travel demand seen for Memorial Day, and with schools now out of session across the country, families coast to coast are eager to travel.”
Here are some of those AAA numbers:
49 million: The number of Americans — an all-time record — who are planning to celebrate the Fourth of July by getting out of town. (Note: This year, July 4 is on a Thursday.)
4.1: Percentage that number grew from 2018.
1.9 million: The number of additional people making road trips this July 4 over last year.
41.4 million: The number of Americans — also a record high — who will travel by automobile this Independence Day.
2.66: The average price nationwide for a gallon of gasoline.
19: Numbers of cents the average price is down from this time last year.
3.96 million: Number of Americans — the highest on record — who will fly for this Fourth of July holiday.
5.3: Percentage jump in the number of fliers from last year.
3.55 million: Number of Americans who will travel by train, buses and cruise ships.
3: The day on the July calendar this year when drivers will experience the greatest amount of freeway congestion.
9: Percentage that freeway congestion is expected to increase over this time last year.
10: Percentage that average airfares will increase for the Fourth of July over 2018.
5: Percentage that average car-rental prices will jump over last year at this time.
69: Average number of dollars it will cost Americans to rent a car for one day this week.
153: Average cost per night, in dollars, for AAA Two Diamond accommodations.
189: Average price per night for a AAA Three Diamond-rated hotel.
367,000: Number of Americans that AAA expects to help out this Independence Day with roadside assistance.
86: Percentage of Americans who plan to celebrate July 4 in some way, according to the National Retail Federation
6.7 billion: Number of dollars the NRF says Americans will spend this Independence Day on food items.
61: Percentage of Americans who plan to eat some of that food at picnics, cookouts and barbecues.
40: Percentage of Americans who plan to celebrate with fireworks and community celebrations.
2: Number of weeks in advance Skyscanner suggests you purchase your flights for travel around the Fourth of July.
16.8 million: Number of travelers expected at San Francisco International Airport between Memorial Day and Labor Day