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Last month, I wrote about the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) preparing for one of its busiest travel periods of the year during the Fourth of July holiday. The busy travel began on Tuesday, June 30th and runs through Monday, July 6th with millions of Americans head out to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence. AAA says that in total, a record-breaking 72.2 million Americans are expected to leave home for the holiday.
The forecast represents an increase of approximately 300,000 travelers compared to last year, as strong demand for summer vacations continues despite higher travel costs. Driving remains the preferred mode of transportation. The number traveling by car is nearly unchanged from 2025, even after gas prices climbed roughly 20% following the conflict involving Iran.
Air travel is also expected to see modest growth this year. AAA says the average round-trip domestic airfare is currently around $830.
Alternative forms of transportation, including buses, trains, and cruises, are projected to experience the largest year-over-year increase. Nearly 4.93 million travelers are expected to use these options. This marks a 5.3% increase from last year.
For travelers planning a road trip, AAA recommends leaving early in the day today to avoid the worst congestion. Those returning home on July 4th are expected to encounter the lightest traffic during the late afternoon. Sunday is forecast to be the busiest travel day with heavy traffic expected throughout much of the day.
Anthony’s Take: With millions of Americans taking to the skies and highways, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra time, and monitor traffic conditions to avoid holiday delays. I’m glad I’m staying home.
(Image Credits: TSA and United Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
