Nearly 71 million people expected to travel during the week of July 4 – The Demopolis Times

AAA predicts that 70.9 million travelers will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day travel period.

For the first time, AAA studied the entire week of July 4, as well as the Saturday before and Sunday after the holiday. The number of travelers projected for that period this year represents a 5% increase over 2023 and an 8% increase over 2019.

“With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Clay Ingram, a spokesman for AAA Alabama. “We expect this July 4th week to be our busiest ever with 5.7 million more people traveling than in 2019.”

AAA predicts that a record 60.6 million people will travel by car during the week of Independence Day, an increase of 2.8 million travelers over last year. This year’s figure also exceeds that of 2019, when 55.3 million people traveled by car during the week of July 4.

Gasoline prices are lower than last year, when the national average was $3.53. Alabama’s average price is $3.09 per gallon. Pump prices will likely continue to decline through Independence Day. At that point, they will likely level off and remain relatively flat until after Labor Day, as they did last year. However, there is the hurricane season, which is currently underway, which could affect gas prices if a storm negatively impacts oil production and refining centers along the Gulf Coast.

Air travel is also expected to set a new record. AAA predicts that 5.74 million people will fly to their Fourth of July destinations. That’s up nearly 7% from last year and 12% from 2019.

More than 4.6 million people are expected to travel by other means of transport, including buses, cruises and trains. This category is up 9% from last year, but this year’s number is down from 2019’s figure of 4.79 million.

For this forecast, the Independence Day holiday travel window is defined as the nine-day period from Saturday, June 29, to Sunday, July 7. Historically, the Independence Day holiday travel window included only one weekend. This is the first year that the Independence Day holiday travel window is longer and includes two weekends.

AAA has partnered with Chicco to share safety tips for families with young children.

• Check the fit of the car seat. Before you hit the road, check your child’s weight and height to make sure they are in the right seat and using the right mode, especially when switching from rear-facing to forward-facing. Children should remain rear-facing for as long as possible to better protect their head, neck and spine in the event of an accident. If you’re not sure which car seat is best for your child, Chicco offers a car seat comparison guide.
• Double-check the car seat installation. Even if your car seat is already installed in the car, it’s worth checking that everything is secure. A simple way to do this at home is to do the “thumb test.” Simply grab the seat at the car’s seat belt path and pull it from side to side and back and forth. If it moves more than an inch in any direction, uninstall it and try again until a secure fit is achieved. If you have any questions, use the car seat manual, QR codes, or online resources like those offered by Chicco.
• Secure loose items in your car. Take the time to organize and clean your car before you hit the road. Storage organizers that attach to the back of the driver and passenger seats are simple solutions to ensure everything has its place, especially loose items that can become projectiles in a sudden stop.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Pack an emergency kit with first aid supplies, water, snacks, blankets, jumper cables, and flares. Make sure your phone is fully charged—and keep a charger in the car—so you can call AAA or request roadside assistance digitally if your battery dies, you get stranded outside, or you need a tow.
• Plan your itinerary. Families with young children should plan for frequent and longer stops along the way. Plan your itinerary in advance with AAA TripTik and browse hotels, restaurants and other activities along the way on AAA Trip Canvas.
• Bring entertainment. Be sure to place toys and books within reach to keep the kids entertained. If your kids use tablets or other electronic devices, make sure the devices are fully charged and pre-downloaded before leaving the house. Another fun way to get the whole family excited about the road trip is to create a family playlist of everyone’s favorite songs.