Hitting the road for the long July 4 weekend? There will be a lot of Floridians out there with you.
The 2025 year of travel continues, with a record 72.2 million Americans expected to travel domestically during the July 4 week, according to AAA. That’s 1.7 million more travelers (2.4%) than last year and 7 million more than 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Nearly 4.6 million of those hardy travelers will be Floridians, up 146,000 (3%) from 2024, the auto club said.
As usual, driving will be the most popular method, with an estimated 61.6 million drivers expected to hit the road nationwide. However, air passengers are also projected to break a record, with 5.84 million fliers expected to flock to the airports.
Part of that is due to the three-day weekend, the first long July 4 weekend in nearly a decade. AAA travel forecasts are for the week from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.
“Independence Day is one of the most popular times for travel, with Americans eager to take advantage of summer vacation opportunities,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of AAA Travel in a release.
“This year, we’re seeing strong demand for road trips, flights, and cruises, especially with the holiday falling on a Friday. This is allowing travelers to extend their getaways and make lasting memories with loved ones.”
Here’s what to know, and the best time to hit the road.
How are Florida residents traveling for July 4?
AAA, which responded to nearly 700,000 customers stuck on the side of the road during the holiday period last year, urges everyone to get your car in shape before you drive to address dead batteries, flat tires and empty gas tanks.
Will gas prices go up for July 4 weekend?
With war brewing in the Middle East, oil prices have surged, AAA said, but it’s too soon to tell if prices will stabilize before the holiday.
“Of particular concern is Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz — a critical passageway for about 20% of global oil shipments. While the Iranian Parliament voted in favor of the move on Sunday, the country’s Supreme National Security Council has not made a final decision,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said in an email.
Florida gas prices jumped 20 cents per gallon early last week but dropped back a bit over the weekend, Jenkins said.
Florida drivers are currently paying $3.15 per gallon, AAA said. That’s almost 40 cents less than last year’s holiday.
How much are flights for the Fourth of July?
According to flight booking service Going, airfare during the Fourth of July week runs slightly higher than the rest of the summer due to the demand.
Summer ticket prices overall are down 7% from last year as airlines struggle with reduced demands due to fluctuating trade wars, threats against Canada’s sovereignty and fears over border crackdowns.
For the holiday week, domestic airfare averages 3.4% more at $585, while international flights are higher by 3.9%, averaging $1,396. Travelers can save a few bucks — and avoid crowds — if they fly on the holiday itself.
Best times to drive for July 4 week
Load up the car early, according to traffic analyst INRIX, to avoid the worst traffic. The best travel times are:
Worst times to drive for July 4 week
The worst times to travel will be afternoon to early evening, AAA said, and the busiest days on the road will be Wednesday, July 2, as people head to their destinations, and Sunday, July 6, when they head home, according to INRIX.
Florida cities in top 10 domestic July 4 destinations
According to AAA booking data, people are heading to the Sunshine State for July 4 with three of the top 10 cities and the top destination.
Peak congestion times in major U.S. cities
Tampa/Orlando
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Denver
Detroit
Houston
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York
Philadelphia
Portland
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
Washington, D.C.
Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flying or driving for Fourth of July in Florida? Best times to leave, how much it’ll cost
Reporting by C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
