best times – Even with gas at a four-year high and flights costing more, AAA projects record July 4 travel—72.2 million Americans between June 27 and July 5. INRIX forecasts the least traffic on late mornings Monday and Tuesday, while warning of the heaviest congestion beg
By the time the first “we’ll leave early” text goes out, the math is already clear: Americans are still heading out for July 4 in record numbers, even as the trip costs more.
AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel during the holiday period between June 27 and July 5. including 61.4 million who will hit the road. That’s slightly more than 2025’s 61.3 million drivers. Gas prices are at a four-year high. and domestic flights to popular destinations such as Chicago and Denver are 5% costlier than in 2025.
Vice President of AAA Travel Stacey Barber framed it as a tradition that doesn’t stop for sticker shock. “For many Americans, traveling the week of July 4th is tradition,” she said in a June 17 news release. “The 9-day travel forecast includes travelers who are vacationing all week and people just getting away for the long holiday weekend. While the overall number of Independence Day travelers appears to be plateauing, we’re still expecting record volumes this year.”.
This year’s Independence Day also lands on America’s 250th birthday. Major celebrations are being hosted across the country, and AAA says that’s shaping where people go.
Top destinations show the pull of both big cities and big-ticket fun. Domestic travelers are headed to major U.S. cities like New York, Chicago and Boston, where festivities are being planned for July 4 and America’s 250th birthday. AAA also says many people are going to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. Florida. to visit theme parks and embark on cruises. With the Alaska cruise season in full swing, Seattle, Anchorage and Fairbanks are also drawing domestic travelers for the holiday.
For international trips, AAA points to Rome, Dublin, Paris and London as top destinations. Travelers are also heading north to Vancouver and Calgary.
When to drive becomes the practical question once plans are set. INRIX, a transportation data and insights firm, says the goal is simple: get on the road in the morning to avoid the worst congestion.
The least painful windows to drive by car start late and steadily push later through the week:
Saturday, June 27: Before 10 a.m.
Sunday, June 28: Before 11 a.m.
Monday, June 29: Before noon
Tuesday, June 30: Before 2 p.m.
Wednesday, July 1: Before noon
Thursday, July 2: Before noon
Friday, July 3: Before 11 a.m.
Saturday, July 4: After 3 p.m.
Sunday, July 5: Before 11 a.m.
INRIX also lays out where that advice turns into a headache. The heaviest traffic is expected on the weekend of July 4, starting as early as Thursday. Peak congestion is also expected on June 27 as travelers kick off week-long vacations.
Here are the worst times to drive:
Saturday, June 27: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 29: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 30: 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 1: noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 2: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 3: noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 4: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 5: Noon to 6 p.m.
The pressure point shows up differently depending on the city, but the pattern is the same: popular routes tighten fast, and the same travel day can be dramatically worse at specific hours.
In Atlanta, the worst route is Atlanta to Augusta via I-20 E. The worst day is July 2, with the worst time at 2 p.m. The estimated travel time is 3 hours, 1 minute, and the travel time increase is 58%.
In Boston, the worst route is Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrims Highway SW. The worst day is June 27, with the worst time at 10:45 a.m. The estimated travel time is 2 hours, 1 minute, and the travel time increase is 100%.
In Denver, the worst route is Denver to Fort Collins via I-25 NW. The worst day is June 29, with the worst time at 2:30 p.m. The estimated travel time is 1 hour, 36 minutes, and the travel time increase is 78%.
In Houston, the worst route is Galveston to Houston via I-45 NW. The worst day is July 5, with the worst time at 1 p.m. The estimated travel time is 1 hour, 13 minutes, and the travel time increase is 71%.
In Los Angeles, the worst route is Los Angeles to Bakersfield via I-5 N. The worst day is June 27, with the worst time at 2:45 p.m. The estimated travel time is 2 hours, 2 minutes, and the travel time increase is 67%.
In New York, the worst route is Jersey Shore to New York via Garden State Pkwy N. The worst day is July 5, with the worst time at 12:45 p.m. The estimated travel time is 1 hour, 55 minutes, and the travel time increase is 90%.
In San Francisco, the worst route is Sacramento to San Francisco via I-80 W. The worst day is July 5, with the worst time at 4 p.m. The estimated travel time is 2 hours, 24 minutes, and the travel time increase is 71%.
In Washington, the worst route is Washington, DC, to Annapolis via 50 E. The worst day is July 3, with the worst time at 12:45 p.m. The estimated travel time is 1 hour, 1 minute, and the travel time increase is 100%.
Taken together. the numbers explain the tension many travelers will feel this year: the holiday is drawing record volumes despite higher prices at the pump and in the air. but the roads still demand timing. INRIX’s guidance essentially boils down to the same decision every family eventually makes—whether to leave early and accept the morning rush. or roll the dice and sit through the hours that slow everyone down.
July 4 travel 2026 AAA record travel gas prices four-year high July 4 weekend driving times INRIX traffic Independence Day 250th birthday travel forecast June 27 July 5