- 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel for the upcoming holiday.
- 61.4 million will take to the streets with July 2 expected to be very busy.
- Gas prices are up 86 cents from 2025, but a lot can change in two weeks.
The national average price of a gallon of gasoline is $4.03, which is 86 cents more than a year ago. That’s a 27% increase, but it isn’t stopping Americans from hitting the road for the Fourth of July.
According to AAA estimates, 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles (80 km) from home between June 27 and July 5. That would beat last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers.
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Unsurprisingly, a vast majority are expected to hit the road despite high gas prices. An estimated 61.4 million people will travel by car, which would be a slight increase from 2025.
The busiest day on the road is expected to be July 2, but in some cities – such as Boston, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles – peak congestion could come on June 27. As usual, the best advice is to leave early in the morning or travel on Monday or Tuesday.
National Average Gas Prices
AAA, 6/17
Around 5.85 million people will take to the skies, which is about the same as 2025. AAA says domestic roundtrip flights to top destinations are about 5% more expensive this year, while overall domestic flights are averaging around $830 a ticket. That’s not cheap, especially for a family of four, so that explains why so many people are traveling by car despite elevated fuel prices.
While car and flight travel is expected to remain relatively steady, the organization is expecting a notable 5.3% increase in other forms of travel such as buses, trains, and cruises. With 4.93 million people expected to take these forms of transportation, the number could surpass the 4.79 million travelers from 2019. AAA credits this to a “post-COVID cruising boom.”
Ford
As for where people are going, the destinations may surprise you as Seattle is the top spot. It was followed by Orlando, which is popular with families thanks to Disney World. While that’s not a shock, third place went to Anchorage and part of that can likely be chalked up to cruises. Other top U.S. spots include Miami, New York, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and Fairbanks.
For Americans looking to leave the country, the top destination is Vancouver, Canada. It’s followed by Rome, Dublin, Paris, and London.
