ST. LOUIS, Mo. (WSIL) -- AAA is projecting a significant increase in travel over the Independence Day holiday period, with 72.2 million people expected to travel at least 50 miles from home. This period spans from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6, and includes two weekends to better accommodate holiday travelers.
“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4th is one of the most popular times to get away,� said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Following Memorial Day’s record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week. With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.�
AAA anticipates 61.6 million people will travel by car, marking a 2.2% increase over last year and setting a new record for road travel. Travelers are encouraged to perform routine vehicle maintenance and pack an emergency kit.
For those in Illinois, there will be an estimated 3.9 million traveling by automobile which is 2% more than last year. Adding in other modes of transportation, an estimated 4.3 million will be traveling more than 50 miles, which is 3% more than 2024.
Air travel is also expected to set a record, with 5.84 million people projected to fly. This represents 8% of all Independence Day travelers and a 1.4% increase from last year.
Travel by bus, train, or cruise is predicted to grow by 7.4%, totaling 4.78 million travelers. The popularity of cruising, particularly to Alaska, is driving this category's growth.
Last July 4th week, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls for various issues.
AAA emphasizes the importance of planning and preparation for a smooth travel experience.
