Nearly 3 million people passed through U.S. airports in a single day last week, a record number, according to the TSA.
But it won’t be a record for long, with the agency expecting Independence Day to send those numbers through the roof as it will be the busiest Fourth of July travel season yet.
“We expect about 71 million Americans to travel,” Skyler McKinley, AAA’s regional director of public affairs, told Scripps News, adding that the busiest days for travel will be Wednesday, July 3, and Sunday, July 7.
Traffic could also reach unprecedented levels this holiday weekend, with AAA saying 85% of travelers are expected to hit the road, with the heaviest congestion occurring between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Fuel costs are lower than last year, hovering just below $3.50 per gallon on average nationwide, according to GasBuddy.
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The TSA plans to screen 3 million people on Sunday, July 7, and 32 million people in the United States through July 8.
“So, just to be very clear, arrive early, arrive on time. What we recommend is that if you have a flight, be here at least two hours before your departure,” Christopher Murgia, TSA’s federal security director for Maryland, said at a news conference Monday, adding that peak screening times will occur between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Scripps News meteorologists are also predicting high temperatures and thunderstorms in parts of the country, which could impact driving and flight times. If your flight is canceled or delayed more than three hours, new rules allow you to get a refund.
