Americans are gearing up for the busiest Fourth of July holiday on record, with more than 72 million people expected to travel during the extended holiday period from June 28 to July 6. The surge is largely due to the holiday falling on a Friday, giving many travelers the opportunity for an extended break.
Road trips will dominate travel plans, with 61.6 million people expected to hit the highways, making it the highest number of road travelers ever recorded. Air travel is also seeing a significant increase, with 5.84 million passengers forecasted, marking a 1.4 percent rise from last year.
International travel is getting a boost from lower airfare, with flights to Europe and Asia down by 13 percent compared to 2024. In contrast, domestic flights are only slightly cheaper, leading many budget-conscious travelers to opt for driving instead of flying within the U.S. Popular domestic routes include road trips to cruise ports and national parks.
Travelers should be prepared for heavy congestion, especially on July 2 and July 6, which are projected to be the busiest travel days. Airports across the country are bracing for record footfall, with the Transportation Security Administration expecting to screen more passengers than ever before. In Houston alone, George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports are expected to handle 1.5 million travelers over the holiday week, fueled in part by major events like the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final and Beyoncé’s concert tour.
Despite inflation concerns, Americans are still prioritizing summer travel. Hotel prices have dropped by 8 percent compared to last year, now averaging $213 per night, encouraging more spontaneous travel bookings. Major airlines, including United and American, are also preparing for a five percent increase in passenger volume.
With high demand and busy travel days ahead, planning ahead, staying flexible, and monitoring weather and flight conditions will be key for a smooth July Fourth getaway.
