MIAMI.- Florida is expecting record numbers of travelers on the roads and at airports for the July 4 long weekend, which kicks off Thursday, in honor of the United States Independence Day.
According to estimates from the American Automobile Association (AAA), nearly 4.5 million Floridians will travel to different destinations within and outside the country this weekend, a figure that represents 7% more than in 2023.
As a four-day holiday for many travelers, there will be “even more crowds at airports and popular attractions like beaches, lakes and theme parks.”
National figures will also set new records. AAA says 32 million travelers will travel to different national and international destinations in the week until July 8, 3.5 million more people than in 2023.
Debbie Hass, vice president of travel for AAA-The Auto Club Group, said in a statement that the summer travel season “is off to a promising start and we expect to set new road and air travel records during the week of Independence Day.”
Record road trip figures
As for road trips, the automobile organization expects more than 3.9 million people in the Sunshine State to take road trips to commemorate the United States’ Independence. This marks a record for the second consecutive year with 183,000 more travelers than last year.
According to AAA data, 60.6 million people will travel by car across the country on July 4. With 2.8 million more than the previous year, these numbers also exceed those of 2019, when 55.3 million people traveled by car on this date.
For its part, the automobile organization’s spokesman, Mark Jenkins, recommended that travelers prepare for traffic congestion in the afternoon and evening hours, particularly near metropolitan areas, theme parks and other popular attractions.
The heaviest ground traffic congestion before and during Independence Day will occur between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., according to data provided by INRIX, a transportation data provider to AAA.
In addition, travelers must also contend with gasoline prices.
Although the cost of fuel has been declining for months, it has started to rise in recent weeks, reaching prices slightly higher than last year during the federal Independence Day holiday.
7% more air travel
Airports will also be packed throughout the week. 5.74 million people are expected to take a flight to their July 4 destinations, which is nearly 7% more than last year and 12% more than in 2019.
“Automotive association booking data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, with an average price of $800 for a domestic round-trip ticket,” the organization said.
They also predict that more than 4.6 million people will use other means of transport such as bus, train or cruises to enjoy this long weekend. The association indicated that “this category is experiencing a 9% increase compared to last year, however, this year’s figure is below the 4.79 million recorded in 2019.”
Top destinations for travelers during the week of July 4 include Alaska, Seattle, Vancouver and Anchorage. South Florida beaches like Miami and Fort Lauderdale are also popular destinations for tourists to visit.
Other places among the options that attract the attention of Americans are Orlando, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Calgary, as well as Vancouver in Canada and Honolulu in Hawaii.
As for international destinations, the automotive entity reported that European cities such as London, Rome, Dublin, Paris and Athens are the most prominent among the options for travelers from all over the country.
@Lydr05
Source: With information from the American Automobile Association (AAA) and Infobae
