The American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasts that during the Independence Day holiday travel period from June 27th to July 5th, more than 72.2 million Americans will journey at least 50 miles, setting a new historical record.

Road Trips Remain the Dominant Choice

Approximately 61.4 million people are expected to travel by car, accounting for 85% of all travelers. Despite gasoline prices reaching a four-year high, driving is still considered the most economical option by many families. Rental company Hertz anticipates July 2nd will be the busiest day for vehicle pick-ups, with the highest demand in Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York.

Air Travel Sees Modest Increase

Air travel is projected to reach 5.85 million passengers, a slight 0.2% increase from 2025 figures, making up 8% of all travelers. The average price for a domestic round-trip ticket is around $830, with fares on popular routes up approximately 5% year-over-year.

Other Modes of Travel Show Strongest Growth

Travel by bus, train, and cruise ship is expected to reach 4.93 million passengers, a 5.3% increase from the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The peak season for Alaska cruises is a primary driver, with Seattle, Anchorage, and Fairbanks ranking among the top ten most popular domestic destinations.

Top Destinations

Top domestic destinations include Seattle, Orlando, Anchorage, Miami, New York, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Fairbanks, Denver, and Boston. Internationally, Vancouver, Rome, Dublin, Paris, and London lead the list.