Texas Expects Record-Breaking Travel for Independence Day

SAN ANGELO, TX — A record 5.7 million Texans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the extended Independence Day holiday period, according to projections released Wednesday by AAA Texas. The nine-day travel window, which spans from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6, includes two weekends and reflects growing demand for summer vacations.

This year’s forecast marks an increase of 369,000 travelers in Texas compared to 2024 and 521,000 more than in 2019, making it one of the busiest July Fourth travel periods on record.

“Summer is one of the busiest travel seasons, and Independence Day consistently ranks among the most popular times for a getaway,” said Galen Grillo, Vice President and General Manager of AAA Texas. “Following a record-setting Memorial Day forecast, AAA Texas is seeing continued strong demand for both road trips and air travel during the July Fourth holiday period. With the holiday falling on a Friday this year, many travelers are planning extended weekends or full-week vacations to spend quality time with family and friends.”

Key Independence Day Travel Insights

• Road Travel:

  • 4.9 million Texans and 61.6 million Americans are expected to travel by car, a 2% increase from last year.

  • This marks the highest number of July Fourth road travelers on record.

  • AAA recommends travelers inspect their vehicles and pack emergency kits. Last year, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside assistance calls during the same period.

• Gas Prices:

  • Drivers can expect lower fuel costs, with gas prices roughly 30 cents lower per gallon than last summer.

  • However, hurricane activity along the Gulf Coast could impact refinery operations and fuel deliveries, potentially raising prices.

• Air Travel:

  • A record 5.84 million Americans will fly during the holiday, an increase of 1.4% over 2024.

  • The average roundtrip domestic flight costs $810, about 4% higher than last year.

  • AAA advises flying on weekdays like Tuesday or Wednesday for better fares.

• Rental Car Demand:

  • July 3 is expected to be the busiest rental car pickup day, according to AAA partner Hertz.

  • Top rental destinations include Orlando, Denver, Boston, Oahu, and Seattle.

• Cruise and Other Travel:

  • An estimated 4.78 million people will travel by bus, train, or cruise — just shy of the pre-pandemic record of 4.79 million.

  • Cruises, particularly to Alaska, are driving interest in this category.

• Top Domestic Destinations:

  • Orlando, FL

  • Seattle, WA

  • New York, NY

  • Anchorage, AK

  • Fort Lauderdale, FL

• Traffic Trends:

  • Transportation analytics firm INRIX expects July 2 and July 6 to be the busiest days on the road.

  • Drivers should avoid peak afternoon travel hours and depart early to reduce delays.

  • Travelers are urged to observe "Slow Down, Move Over" laws for emergency vehicles.

The Independence Day travel period now spans nine days, beginning June 28 and ending July 6. The expanded timeframe, adopted in 2024, better reflects travel behavior and planning trends and allows for more accurate year-to-year comparisons.