EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Millions of Americans will be heading out in cars and planes over the Fourth of July weekend, and AAA Texas is predicting record-breaking numbers in Texas and across the nation.
“This year will be our busiest Fourth of July ever, whether you’re traveling with family or friends or we expect an increase in solo travelers, it will be very busy,” said Daniel Armbruster, a spokesman for AAA Texas.
“Patience is needed on the roads, at airports and even at cruise ports. More people are taking cruises this year, which is another trend,” he said.
Armbruster said AAA expects 5.6 million Texans to travel for Independence Day this week, with 4.8 million of them, or 87%, traveling by car.
More than 500,000 Texans plan to fly over the next nine days.
Armbruster said these figures represent an 8.3% increase from 2019, which was a record-breaking year for travel.
AAA predicts the trip will occur between Saturday, June 29th and Sunday, July 7th.
Armbruster said the company is extending its forecast period from five to nine days due to new trends that show people are taking longer to travel.
“Remote work has become more popular over the last few years, and more people are taking the entire week off for the holiday,” Armbruster said.
This year, Independence Day falls on a Thursday, giving people the opportunity to enjoy a two-week long holiday, Armbruster said.
AAA predicts Wednesday, July 3, will be the busiest day on the roads, especially in major metropolitan areas with a mix of commuters and holiday travelers.
AAA also expects to help about 800,000 drivers nationwide this week with flat tires, dead batteries or engine failures, and urges people traveling to extremely hot areas where the problem is worse to properly inspect their vehicles before setting off.