A representative from AAA Texas said about 5.6 million Texans will turn out for Independence Day.
AUSTIN, Texas —
The American Automobile Association (AAA) has announced that millions of Texans will be out and about celebrating the Fourth of July. Whether on the road or in the air, this year is expected to see the highest number of travelers ever recorded.
A representative from AAA Texas said about 5.6 million Texans will travel for Independence Day. More than 80% of travelers will travel by car, and about 4.8 million will take to the road.
The organization expects traffic congestion on major highways such as Interstate Highway 35 in downtown Austin, U.S. 290 for people heading to Houston and Interstate 10 for drivers heading to San Antonio.
AAA Texas said Wednesday afternoon’s commute is expected to be very busy.
“They’re usually very busy anyway. But when you have regular commuters mixed in with these holiday commuters, that’s when you start to see these really big traffic jams that are larger than normal travel volume,” said Daniel Armbruster, media relations spokesman for AAA Texas.
If you are leaving on Wednesday, it is recommended to leave as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Before hitting the road, AAA recommends having your vehicle checked, as this time of year sees an increase in dead batteries, flat tires and engine problems.
“This week, 41,000 motorists will be rescued in Texas by Triple AA for those three main reasons. It’s really important to make sure that if you’re going on a road trip this summer, you understand that the heat can exacerbate a lot of the issues that your car might have,” Armbruster said.
When it comes to air travel, about half a million people plan to fly out of Texas for pleasure. So, as usual, you should give yourself plenty of time, arrive at the airport early, and try to check or reserve parking before you leave.
For those going on a road trip, the Monday after the holiday is also expected to be a busy day in terms of travel.
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