Massachusetts residents and travelers are gearing up for what promises to be one of the busiest travel periods in years over the long July 4 holiday.
With more than 61 million motorists expected to be on the road nationwide, AAA forecasts a total of 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their homes to celebrate Independence Day.
The travel period spans from Saturday, June 28, to Sunday, July 6, with a notable increase in domestic travel projected, highlighting a rise of 1.7 million over 2024 and 7 million more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4th is one of the most popular times to get away,” stated Stacey Barber, AAA Travel vice president.
This year’s forecast follows a record-setting Memorial Day travel season, indicating a trend toward increasing mobility during the summer months.
For travelers using their cars, a record 61.6 million people are anticipated to take to the roads this year, a rise of 1.3 million from last year, amounting to a 2.2 percent increase.
Despite some fluctuations at gas stations, with prices currently lower than they have been since 2021, drivers may still see rises in fuel costs.
As of June 23, the price of regular unleaded gasoline in Massachusetts was recorded at $3.08 per gallon, a slight increase from $2.99 a week prior, but significantly down from $3.43 a year ago.
Potential volatility exists in the gasoline market due to escalating geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which could impact prices.
Furthermore, weather conditions pose another risk, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, which might lead to refinery disruptions affecting fuel delivery and prices.
AAA emphasizes the importance of routine vehicle maintenance before embarking on trips and suggests packing an emergency kit in anticipation of unexpected issues.
In the previous July 4 week, nearly 700,000 requests for roadside assistance were reported, citing problems like dead batteries, flat tires, and instances of travelers locking themselves out of their vehicles.
For those planning to travel from Boston, AAA’s transportation data partner INRIX warns that Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, are expected to be the busiest days for travel, particularly in the afternoons.
Travelers are advised to hit the road in the morning to escape the heaviest traffic, while also keeping an eye out for potential delays caused by construction, accidents, or adverse weather.
If possible, travelers should plan to avoid Route 3 South to Hyannis during the peak congestion period around 10:45 a.m. on June 28, and when returning, steer clear of Route 3 North from Hyannis to Boston around 11:45 a.m. on July 5.
Overall, here are the anticipated best and worst travel times throughout the holiday period:
– Saturday, June 28: Best before 10 a.m., Worst from noon to 5 p.m.
– Sunday, June 29: Best before 11 a.m., Worst from 2 to 4 p.m.
– Monday, June 30: Best before noon, Worst from 2 to 6 p.m.
– Tuesday, July 1: Best before 2 p.m., Worst from 3 to 6 p.m.
– Wednesday, July 2: Best before noon, Worst from noon to 9 p.m.
– Thursday, July 3: Best before noon, Worst from 2 to 6 p.m.
– Friday, July 4: Best before noon, Worst from noon to 7 p.m.
– Saturday, July 5: Best before 11 a.m., Worst from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– Sunday, July 6: Best before 11 a.m., Worst from noon to 6 p.m.
In addition to those driving, air travel is also seeing a record rise, with an expected 5.84 million people flying to their Fourth of July destinations, representing a 1.4 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Travel by rail, bus, or cruise is projected to grow by 7.4 percent from last year, nearing pre-pandemic travel numbers set in 2019.
As the cruising season heats up, this mode of travel has notably surged in popularity among summer holiday travelers.
Top domestic destinations for the Independence Day weekend include popular cities like Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Anchorage, Fort Lauderdale, Honolulu, Denver, Miami, Boston, and Atlanta.
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