Record Numbers Hitting the Road for Independence Day

Independence Day is one of the most popular holidays in the United States, and AAA is reporting that a record-breaking 44.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more to celebrate the birth of our nation.

AAA is projecting that 1.25 million more travelers will hit the roads, skies, rails and waterways this year as compared to 2016, making this the most traveled Independence Day holiday weekend ever.

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The Independence Day holiday travel period, which runs between June 30 and July 4, will see 37.5 million Americans drive to their destinations (a 2.9 percent increase), 3.44 million people fly (a 4.6 percent increase) and 3.27 million travelers (a 1.4 percent increase) use other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses.

“Combined, strong employment, rising incomes and higher consumer confidence bode well for the travel industry, in particular this Independence Day weekend,” AAA senior vice president Bill Sutherland said in a statement.

“A historic 44.2 million Americans will travel to celebrate our nation’s freedom this year, adding to an already bustling summer travel season.”

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One of the reasons behind the increased number of projected travelers is cheaper gas prices, with the national average price for a gallon of gas at $2.28—four cents lower than the same time last year. Travelers can also expect lower prices for airfares and car rentals this Independence Day weekend.

As for the top destinations during the holiday travel period, Orlando tops the list, followed by Vancouver, Cancun, Seattle, Punta Cana, Honolulu, Anaheim, Anchorage, Las Vegas and Montego Bay.

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