This July 4 weekend, America becomes one giant traffic jam with record-breaking 61 million drivers
Published on Jul 03, 2025 at 7:44 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Jul 03, 2025 at 5:14 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This July 4 weekend is set to turn parts of the US into one giant traffic jam as a record 61.6 million people are set to hit the roads.
July 4 is one of the most popular times of the year for Americans to get away.
This year, Independence falls on a Friday, meaning folks can look forward to a long weekend.
However, it also means there will be more people on the roads than ever before.
July 4 weekend will see 1.3m more motorists on the road than 2024
While most of us will do all we can to avoid getting stuck in traffic, even if it happens to be a particularly chilled traffic jam, it seems there may be no escape in the US this July 4 weekend.
New data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) reveals more American motorists are set to travel by car than ever before.
AAA also revealed which cities will be getting the most visitors this weekend, which includes Orlando, New York, Denver, Boston, Oahu, and Seattle.
AAA estimates a staggering 72.2 million people are set to travel at least 50 miles from home this weekend.
And the vast majority, 61.6 million, will be traveling by car.
This is a 2.2 percent increase over last year, the equivalent of an extra 1.3 million motorists, and the highest volume on record.
With more drivers out on the road, AAA recommends getting routine vehicle maintenance and making sure to pack an emergency kit just in case.
Car rental firm Hertz said today (Thursday, 3 July) was set to be the busiest day to pick up rentals and hire cars, and that the most popular models heading into the July 4 weekend were SUVs and sedans.
It’s also set to be a record-breaker for flights
It’s not just a record breaker for road travel, with air travel also set to see a boost on 2024’s figures.
AAA predicts 5.84 million travelers will fly to their holiday destinations.
This is a 1.4 percent increase on 2024, which is the equivalent to around 5.76 million extra air travelers.
Folks flying for 4 July weekend trips are set to make up eight percent of all travelers this weekend.
Those who chose to fly spent an average $810 for their roundtrip domestic flights, which is about four percent more than the average price paid last year.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
