This Fourth of July, Travel Stress-Free

Independence Day will be the second busiest since 2000, as travel volumes continue to trend upwards with no sign of slowing down. It is important travelers are prepared and flexible to minimize stress and enjoy the holiday. AAA offers the following advice:

Have a plan A, B and C. Flights, car rentals, accommodations, tours, cruises and other activities are in high demand and availability may be limited, which will impact pricing. It's recommended travelers look for discounts and rewards, usually available through a membership like AAA. This is also another time when travel advisors are a great resource since they may know of a deal that may not be readily available to the public.

Air – AAA finds that the average lowest airfare is 14 percent more than last year coming in at $201/ticket.

Hotels – Mid-range hotel rates have increased about 23 percent, with the average lowest nightly rates coming in at $244/night for AAA Approved Hotels.

Car Rentals – Since last year, the average daily rate for car rentals has continued to increase. With more people traveling, these prices remain on the rise due to continued supply chain issues coupled with growing demand. While daily car rental rates have decreased 34 percent compared to last year, with the average lowest rate coming in at $110/day, rates are $40 more/day on average than in 2019.

B-E-T on a breakdown-free trip. AAA expects to respond to over 446,000 calls for roadside assistance over the Independence Day holiday weekend. Make sure to get a full vehicle inspection ahead of any long trip but especially for components like a vehicle's battery, engine and tires. Even a vehicle in top shape can run into an issue so it's a good idea to pack a well-stocked emergency kit and have roadside assistance just in case.

Beat the rush. Travel on off-peak times or days. Based on AAA booking data, Friday, July 1 is shaping up to be the busiest day for air travel during the holiday weekend (June 30 – July 4) with Monday, July 4 being the lightest. For those hitting the road, the Thursday and Friday before the holiday are anticipated to be peak traffic days.

Top Destinations Include Big Cities and International Favorites

AAA booking data reveals that big cities and international classics are top destinations this Independence Day (shown in chart above). AAA data shows that bookings for air, car rentals, cruise, hotel, and tours are up 60 percent over last year for the top domestic Independence Day destinations and up 252 percent for international.