Campgrounds, highways, fuel stops, and tourist towns could be busier than usual this Independence Day travel period.
AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, July 5. That would top last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers, though AAA says the increase is smaller than the large year-over-year jumps seen in recent years.
For RVers and campers, the biggest number is the road travel forecast.
AAA expects 61.4 million people to travel by car during the July 4th holiday period, nearly the same as last year’s 61.3 million. That means about 85% of Independence Day travelers are expected to drive to their destinations.
“For many Americans, traveling the week of July 4th is tradition,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “The 9-day travel forecast includes travelers who are vacationing all week and people just getting away for the long holiday weekend.”
Barber said AAA still expects record travel volume this year, even as the overall Independence Day travel forecast appears to be leveling off.
RVers Take Note
The July 4th holiday is already one of the busiest camping periods of the year, and this forecast suggests RVers should expect even heavier traffic, crowded fuel stations, and limited last-minute campsite availability.
Popular campgrounds, state parks, national parks, lakefront sites, and private RV resorts are likely to see strong demand throughout the full nine-day travel window, not just on the holiday weekend.
The busiest pressure points for RVers will likely include:
- Fuel stops along major interstate routes
- Dump stations near popular camping areas
- Check-in lines at campgrounds
- Boat ramps, park entrances, and visitor centers
- Grocery stores in small vacation towns
- Return traffic near the end of the holiday period
Even RVers with reservations may want to plan for longer travel times, especially when towing or driving a motorhome through congested areas.
Gas Prices Are Higher, But Road Trips Still Dominate
AAA says drivers are still expected to make up the overwhelming majority of July 4th travelers, even with higher gas prices.
Last year, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.15. This year, AAA says prices are higher, though still below the $4.80 national average seen on Independence Day in 2022.
For many families, driving can still be cheaper than flying, especially when traveling with kids, pets, camping gear, or an RV.
That helps explain why road travel remains the dominant choice for the holiday, even as fuel costs remain a concern.
Rental Cars and Airports Will Also Be Busy
AAA’s car rental partner Hertz expects Thursday, July 2, to be the busiest rental car pickup day.
The cities with the highest rental car demand based on advance bookings are Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City. AAA says domestic car rentals are also 10% more expensive this holiday week compared to last year.
Air travel is expected to be nearly flat compared to last year. AAA projects 5.85 million travelers will take domestic flights over the July 4th week, a 0.2% increase from last year.
Air travelers make up about 8% of the holiday travel forecast. According to AAA booking data, domestic round-trip flights to top destinations such as Chicago and Denver are about 5% more expensive, with domestic flights averaging about $830 per ticket.
Buses, Trains, and Cruises See the Biggest Increase
Travel by other modes is expected to grow more than car or air travel this year.
AAA projects 4.93 million Americans will travel by bus, train, cruise, or other forms of transportation during Independence Day week. That is a 5.3% increase from last year.
AAA says this category is also expected to surpass 2019 levels, largely because of continued growth in cruise travel.
Tips for RVers Traveling Over July 4th Week
RVers planning to travel during the Independence Day holiday period should expect more competition for space almost everywhere.
That includes campgrounds, overnight parking areas, fuel lanes, rest areas, and dump stations.
Traveling earlier in the day may help avoid some of the worst congestion. RVers should also confirm reservations, check campground arrival rules, and make sure they know where they can fuel, park, and dump before getting on the road.
With more than 61 million people expected to travel by car, even a small delay can become a much bigger problem when roads are crowded.
For RVers, the best advice is simple: leave extra time, expect crowds, and pack extra patience.
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