Independence Day travel expected to set new records

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you plan to get away for the Fourth of July, you won’t be alone as travel is expected to break records this year, not only here in Florida but around the country.

Nearly 70 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, with 4.5 million of those expected to be Floridians. The numbers are based on the nine-day period between Saturday, June 29, and Sunday, July 7.

Nearly 61 million people will drive to their destination. That’s 5 million more than the 2019 record.

AAA says gas prices were down but have rebounded in the last few days. The state average is $3.32, which is slightly higher than a year ago.

The worst times to drive will be the Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to the Fourth, and then on July 4 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The day after, which is Friday, the worst travel window shifts a bit earlier to between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The best time to drive most days is before noon. For your return home, AAA recommends drivers hit the road on Monday, July 8.

Another travel record will likely be broken in the air. More than 5.5 million people are projected to fly in the U.S., 7% more than last year.

AAA says the reasons people are traveling more are higher consumer confidence, wages and spending.