Traveling On July 4: Good Or Bad Idea?

With more than 47.7 million Americans expected to travel between July 1 and 5 for Independence Day, it's safe to say that yes, July 4 is a bad travel day. In fact, it's one of the worst days of the year to travel.

According to AAA, July 1 is shaping up to be the busiest day for air travel during the holiday weekend, with Monday, July 4 likely to be the lightest. However, the roads are expected to be packed, with more than 91% of Americans travelling by road. Friday is expected to see the heaviest traffic, with roads especially congested in the afternoons.

If you're planning to travel during this period, it's best to avoid peak times and dates.

Roads are busiest on July 3rd and 5th

If you're planning a road trip for the Fourth of July weekend, you should be prepared for busy roads and packed highways. With more than 47.7 million Americans expected to travel between July 1 and 5 for Independence Day, the roads are likely to be congested.

So, when are the roads busiest?

According to multiple sources, July 3rd and July 5th are the days to avoid when it comes to road travel. On July 3rd, nearly 51 million people travelled by road in 2023, and the National Consumer Panel (NCP) predicts a similar number for 2024. The day before a holiday is usually the busiest for road travel, and this is especially true for Independence Day, as people take short trips to see fireworks, visit friends and family, or go on a BBQ-fuelled get-together.

For July 5th, the roads are expected to be busy as people return from their Independence Day celebrations. The worst times to drive on July 5th are between 3 pm and 6 pm, so it is best to start your journey before 2 pm.

If you want to avoid the busiest travel days, the best days for traffic are expected to be July 3rd and 4th, according to INRIX. However, even on these days, there are specific times to be aware of. On July 3rd, it is best to avoid driving between 4 pm and 6 pm, and on July 4th, the roads are expected to be congested between 12 pm and 3 pm. So, if you're hitting the road on these days, plan your journey for before 11 am or after 6 pm.

Other tips to avoid the worst of the traffic include travelling on the holiday itself, as roads tend to be less busy on Independence Day. Alternatively, wait until the Saturday of the holiday weekend to embark on your road trip.

Friday before July 4th is the busiest air travel day

If you're planning to travel by air around July 4th, it's a good idea to be aware of the busiest travel days to avoid long queues at the airport.

According to data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Friday before July 4th is typically the busiest travel day before the holiday weekend. This pattern has been consistent over the past three years, with 2023 data showing that airport crowds on the Friday before July 4th were 30% larger than on Independence Day.

For 2024, the situation is a little different, as July 4th falls on a Thursday. This may cause some travellers to take the Friday after off work, extending their weekend. However, historical data from 2019, the last time July 4th fell on a Thursday, still ranks the Friday before as the third busiest day for air travel that week.

So, if you're looking to avoid the crowds, it's best to avoid flying on the Friday before July 4th. Instead, consider travelling on the holiday itself, which tends to be the quietest day for airports. Alternatively, Tuesdays are generally the least busy days to fly, so you may want to consider a Tuesday before or after the holiday.

Of course, these predictions are based on historical data, and each year may vary. For example, some travellers may opt for road trips or staycations instead, especially with rising airfare prices and COVID-19 restrictions on public transport.

If you do decide to fly, booking with a travel credit card can help you earn bonus points and make the most of your vacation budget.

July 4th is the least busy day to fly

If you're planning to travel by air for the Fourth of July, you may be wondering whether it's a good or bad day to fly. The short answer is that, contrary to what you might expect, July 4th is typically the least busy day for air travel around the holiday weekend.

According to data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), July 4th is the quietest day for airports during the Fourth of July period. In fact, in 2023, airport crowds on July 4th averaged just 70-81% of what they were on the busiest travel day, which was the Friday before.

So, if you're looking to avoid the crowds and don't mind travelling on the holiday itself, July 4th is your best bet. You may even be able to catch the fireworks at your final destination if you take a morning flight.

The reason that July 4th is the least busy day to fly is that most people are already at their destinations by then. Many people intend to make a long weekend of the holiday, so they travel on the Friday before (which is usually the busiest day to fly) or the Thursday before that. By the time July 4th comes around, they are already where they want to be for the celebrations.

Other Tips for Avoiding Crowds and Saving Money

If you'd rather not travel on July 4th itself, there are a few other options for quieter and cheaper travel around the Fourth of July:

• Travel on Tuesday — The Tuesdays before and after the Fourth of July are usually among the least busy days to fly that week.
• Embrace Saturday travel — Instead of rushing out of work on Friday afternoon, consider departing on Saturday morning. This could be one of the lightest travel days of the holiday period.
• Fly home on the Saturday after — It can be tempting to extend your trip as long as possible, but flying home on Saturday instead of Sunday will help you avoid the crowds and give you a day to rest before the new work week.
• Fly home on July 5th — If you return home on the Wednesday after the holiday, you'll still have the weekend to recover before Monday. Plus, Wednesday is one of the cheapest days to fly year-round.

Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly

If you're looking to save money on air travel, it's best to plan ahead and be flexible with your travel dates. While there's no longer a single best day of the week to book a flight, Tuesday is still the cheapest day to fly.

A 2017 study by CheapAir.com found that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday, with savings of around $73 per ticket compared to the most expensive days, which are Sundays and Fridays. This is because fewer people want to fly at the beginning of the working week, so airlines lower their prices to encourage bookings.

How to get the best deal on flights

The best time to book a cheap flight within the U.S. is usually on a Tuesday at about 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Many airlines release weekly airfare sales in the early morning hours of Tuesday, and by mid-afternoon, competing airlines have had time to match sale prices.

However, the day you book your flight isn't the biggest factor in how much you pay. It's much more important to book in advance – the sweet spot for airfare deals is typically between three months and 30 days before departure.

How to avoid the crowds on July 4th

If you're planning to travel for the Fourth of July, be prepared for crowds. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects a record number of passengers in 2024, with Friday, July 1st shaping up to be the busiest day for air travel.

To avoid the crowds, try to fly on Tuesday, July 2nd, which is likely to be one of the least busy days. And if you don't mind travelling on the holiday itself, July 4th is usually the quietest day to fly.

Driving is cheaper than flying

July 4th is expected to be the second-busiest travel day since 2000, with 47.9 million Americans travelling, according to AAA. Friday, July 1st is predicted to be the busiest day for air travel, with Monday, July 4th being the quietest.

If you're driving, be prepared to share the road with a lot of other drivers. More than 91% of Americans travelling for Independence Day will be travelling by road. Friday is expected to see the heaviest traffic, with roads especially congested in the afternoons.

So, is driving cheaper than flying? Well, it depends on a number of factors.

Cost of Gas vs. Airfare and Associated Costs

The cost of driving is not just the gas to get to and from your destination, but also the gas needed while you're there. Don't forget to factor in potential toll roads and parking fees.

Airfare is often more expensive, but you also need to consider the cost of getting to and from the airport, as well as any checked bag fees or seat selection fees. Most airlines also charge extra if you're flying with a pet.

Time Commitments

If time is money, then driving can demand a lot of it. Don't forget to plan for stops and potential traffic delays.

Flying also requires a significant time commitment. You need to get to the airport early, and then there's the time spent disembarking, collecting luggage, and getting to your final destination.

Flexibility

Driving gives you the freedom to depart whenever you want and to pack as much as your car can carry, without having to worry about extra fees.

Flying can be more restrictive, with limited flight availability and strict baggage restrictions.

Comfort

Driving gives you the comfort of having your own vehicle and being able to stretch your legs.

Flying can be cramped, with limited legroom and the hassle of wearing masks and navigating busy airports.

Delays and Cancellations

The past year has seen an increase in flight delays and cancellations due to coronavirus-related staffing problems. When you drive, you're not at the mercy of an airline cancelling your flight.

Environmental Impact

Both driving and flying have separate environmental costs, which could impact your decision if you're concerned about your carbon footprint.

In conclusion, there are many factors to consider when deciding whether to drive or fly. While driving may be cheaper in some cases, it's important to weigh up the pros and cons of each option and decide which is best for your particular situation.

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