Fourth of July travel could break records. See best & worst times to drive in CA
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- AAA forecasts 72.2 million U.S. travelers for July 4, setting new holiday record.
- Road travel expected to peak with 61.6 million drivers; flyers to hit 5.84 million.
- Best drives occur before noon; peak traffic hits July 2 and 6 during afternoon hours.
Burgers will sizzle on the grill, fireworks will soar through the air and travelers will hit the road for the Fourth of July.
Independence Day 2025 could set new records for road trips and airport crowds across the United States, including California, according to a recent AAA news release.
If you’re planning to travel during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, here are the best — and worst — times to drive:
How many people are expected to travel for Independence Day?
Record numbers of people will hit the road and soar through the skies across the United States during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to AAA.
“AAA projects 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6,” AAA said in a June news release.
That’s 1.7 million more travelers than in 2024, the automobile association said and 7 million more than pre-coronavirus pandemic travel levels in 2019.
Air travel is expected to hit a new high over the Fourth of July weekend with AAA forecasting 5.84 million flying — which is a 1.4% increase from 2024.
Meanwhile, a record 61.6 million people are expected to drive to their holiday destinations, which is about 1.3 million more drivers than the previous year.
Why are more people traveling this Fourth of July?
Summer is a peak travel season, AAA said, and the Fourth of July is one of the most popular times for a getaway.
“Following Memorial Day’s record forecast, AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA travel, said in the release.
Since Independence Day lands on a Friday, Barber said, travelers are “making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.”
What are California gas prices?
Gas prices have increased slightly due to recent tensions in the Middle East, AAA said, but summer fuel costs are still at their lowest levels since 2021.
“This year, the price of crude oil has kept gas prices on the lower side,” the automobile association said. “The Israel Iran conflict has driven up the price of oil in recent days but not dramatically.”
California drivers typically pay the highest fuel prices in the United States, with the average cost of regular gasoline reaching $4.57 per gallon, as of Wednesday, July 2.
That is more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.17.
California’s new gas tax is expected to increase prices even more — adding 59.6 cents to 61.2 cents per gallon.
The new tax went into effect Tuesday, July 1.
Changes under the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard also just kicked in, which could push prices up a bit more this summer. Experts warn that could add as much as 65 cents per gallon to the pump price in the coming months.
What are best — and worst — times to drive for July 4?
According to AAA data, the busiest Fourth of July travel days will be on Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, with the worst traffic congestion expected in the afternoon.
“Drivers should hit the road in the morning to avoid the worst traffic, but keep in mind construction, crashes, or severe weather could impact travel times,” AAA said.
Here are the best times to travel by car:
- Thursday, July 3 — Before noon
- Friday, July 4 — Before noon
- Saturday, July 5 — Before 11 a.m.
- Sunday, July 6 — Before 11 a.m.
Here are the worst times to travel by car:
- Wednesday, July 2 — From noon to 9 p.m.
- Thursday, July 3 — From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday, July 4 — From noon to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, July 5 — From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, July 6 — From noon to 6 p.m.
Follow these tips to plan your road trip
AAA recommends “getting routine vehicle maintenance ahead of your trip and packing an emergency kit.”
The following items should be included in an emergency kit:
- Cell phone and charger
- First-aid kit
- Blanket
- Drinking water and snacks
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Rags, paper towels or pre-moistened wipes
- Basic set of tools, including duct tape, and emergency warning devices, including road flares
- Ice scraper or snow brush
- Jumper cables or jump pack
- Traction aid such as sand or salt
- Tarp, raincoat and gloves
- Shovel
This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Fourth of July travel could break records. See best & worst times to drive in CA."
