As Georgia residents gear up for a 4th of July road trip, they’re expected to share the roads with 61 million fellow travelers.
According to a travel forecast from AAA, a total of 72.2 million people will be heading at least 50 miles from home to celebrate Independence Day.
The travel period began on June 28 and continues through Sunday, July 6, marking one of the busiest travel times of the year.
This year, domestic travel is projected to rise by 1.7 million over 2024 and 7 million more than pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.
Summertime traditionally leads to heightened travel activity, and July 4th remains one of the most popular times for getaways.
Stacey Barber, AAA Travel vice president, noted that the anticipated surge comes on the heels of record-setting projections for Memorial Day travel.
For those choosing to drive, a record 61.6 million motorists are expected to hit the road, a 2.2 percent increase compared to last year.
Gas prices have also been dropping, with regular unleaded gasoline averaging $2.93 a gallon as of Tuesday.
This marks a decrease from $2.97 a week prior, with a notable drop from $3.31 a year ago.
Despite the current affordability, escalating international tensions could impact fuel prices in the near future.
Before embarking on their journeys, AAA encourages drivers to perform routine vehicle maintenance and assemble an emergency kit.
Last year during the same holiday period, AAA answered nearly 700,000 roadside assistance calls, addressing common issues such as flat tires and dead batteries.
**Best Times to Travel in Metro Atlanta**
Travelers looking to avoid congestion should plan their trips carefully.
AAA’s transportation data partner INRIX predicts that Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, will be the most congested days for traffic, particularly in the afternoon.
For those exiting the metro area, it’s advisable to depart in the morning to bypass heavy traffic.
However, travelers should remain aware that factors like road construction, accidents, or severe weather could still lead to delays.
On Sunday, July 6, drivers should particularly avoid traveling from Atlanta to Birmingham, Alabama, via I-20 west at 12:15 p.m., as congestion is expected to peak.
On their return, travelers coming from Savannah to Atlanta via I-16 west should steer clear of the roads around 2:30 p.m. on July 6 due to anticipated traffic.
In general, here’s a breakdown of the best and worst times to travel over the extended holiday:
– **Tuesday, July 1**: Best before 2 p.m., worst from 3-6 p.m.
– **Wednesday, July 2**: Best before noon, worst from noon-9 p.m.
– **Thursday, July 3**: Best before noon, worst from 2-6 p.m.
– **Friday, July 4**: Best before noon, worst from noon-7 p.m.
– **Saturday, July 5**: Best before 11 a.m., worst from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
– **Sunday, July 6**: Best before 11 a.m., worst from noon-6 p.m.
**Alternative Modes of Travel**
In addition to highways, air travel is also expected to increase significantly, with approximately 5.84 million people anticipated to fly during the holiday.
This number represents an increase of 1.4 percent over last year’s record.
Moreover, travel via bus, train, or cruise is expected to grow by 7.4 percent compared to 2023.
AAA forecasts that around 4.78 million individuals will utilize these modes of transportation, nearly matching the 2019 pre-pandemic record.
Popular domestic travel destinations for the Independence Day holiday include various cities such as Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Anchorage, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.
With careful planning and early starts, travelers can navigate the busy roads and enjoy a memorable 4th of July celebration.
image source from：patch
