This year has already been one of the busiest for travel yet, but people are expected to break records over the upcoming holiday weekend, whether by car or plane.
The Fourth of July holiday is traditionally a peak time for summer travel, and this summer is already showing signs of surpassing the past two record-breaking summers.
The Transportation Safety Administration reports that a record number of passengers flew in the past month, and AAA predicts that 60 million drivers will take to the roads. Here's what you need to know and how to avoid delays and traffic jams.
Travel records continue to be broken.
Air travel has surged in recent days as people clamored to travel in the wake of coronavirus shutdowns, and travel volume is still growing despite rising travel costs and industry uncertainty, said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of travel for AAA.
Analysts and surveys say travel demand is being fuelled by wealthier travellers who are spending more, while budget travellers and poorer families are booking fewer trips.
A survey by American Express Travel found that 84% of people plan to spend the same or more on travel this year compared to 2023, and more than three-quarters said they will prioritize the best travel experience over cost.
The airport is preparing for heavy passenger traffic throughout this week.
The TSA, which has already reported record numbers of security screenings over the past two months, is preparing to welcome more passengers than ever before this weekend.
Nearly 3 million passengers were screened by the TSA on June 24, a single-day record, and seven of the top 10 busiest days for travel, based on TSA screening numbers, occurred in the past month.
Though passenger numbers are increasing, flight volume has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, Twidale said, making air travel less reliable in the event of extreme weather or accidents.
Anticipate queues and book your connections carefully.
Twidale urges consumers booking flights to pay close attention to where and when they connect: A short layover at a congested airport could leave little room for delays and lead to missed flights.
According to booking platform Hopper, the cities with the busiest airports this week are expected to be Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver.
Hopper warned that people should expect long lines at most airports in the morning this week, but at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and New York City's Kennedy International Airport, the busiest departure times will be in the evenings.
Bernice Padilla, a flight attendant for six years who creates travel content for social media, said airports are busier than ever this summer and travelers are having to arrive early.
“I think the recommended time is two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights, but I would recommend allowing more given the busy weekends,” she said.
Padilla urged people to bring empty water bottles and portable chargers in case of delays, as well as snacks in case they reach their destination late.
Padilla said flight attendants also use airline apps, as well as services like Flighty and FlightAware, to stay up to date on the latest information about the plane.
Be prepared for record numbers of drivers and midday traffic jams.
Travelers driving over the next few days should exercise caution: AAA forecasts that more than 60 million drivers will be on the roads over the Independence Day holiday.
Mr Twidale said despite record numbers of drivers out this weekend, some people may choose to drive instead of booking a flight to save money and hassle at the airport, especially for short journeys.
“By carrying water and snacks in your car and taking breaks along the way, you're in control of your own destiny,” she said.
According to AAA, the busiest days of the week will be Wednesday, July 3 and Sunday, July 7. The company predicts that traffic congestion and crowds will be at their worst on Wednesday midday, and says it's best to start driving early, before 10 a.m. For night owls, leaving after 7 or 8 p.m. is ideal.
Some drivers traveling last weekend ahead of the holiday week were faced with dangerous and congested roads, with several people killed and many more injured after traffic jams created on a busy interstate in Florida.
With a little planning, you can relax and enjoy the fireworks.
Many people will gather in parks and big cities to watch the fireworks displays.
In New York City, ticketing websites crashed as nearly one million people tried to secure city-sponsored spots to watch Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show, with only 10,000 spectators ultimately securing tickets for premium spots.
Other cities hosting some of the largest fireworks displays in the country include Washington and Boston. Many officials recommend checking the latest traffic maps before leaving home on Independence Day, as many roads and areas may be closed for fireworks and events.
Elsewhere, people are taking to the great outdoors this weekend. Michigan state parks and other locations along the Great Lakes are just under 95% full this weekend, more typical of holiday weekends than any other holiday weekend since 2021.
If you're at home or want to avoid crowds, you can watch the Washington fireworks show on PBS or the New York City fireworks show on NBC.
