The Best and Worst Times to Drive During the 4th of July Holiday
Buckle up: Your Fourth of July road trip could be a long one—at least according to AAA , which expects 70.9 million people to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday travel period.
AAA’s traffic forecast is slightly different this year as the organization defines the “Independence Day travel period” as Saturday, June 29 through Sunday, July 7, making it the first year to include two weekends.
“With the summer holidays in full swing and the possibility of remote work, more Americans are taking longer trips ahead of Independence Day,” Paula Tweedale, senior vice president of AAA Travel , said in a press release . “We expect this 4th of July week to be the busiest week on record, with an additional 5.7 million people traveling compared to 2019.”
To avoid getting stuck in traffic, plan your trip around the best and worst times to drive during the Fourth of July travel period. Here’s what you need to know.
The best and worst times to drive over the Fourth of July weekend
Using data from INRIX , a transportation analytics firm, AAA experts determined these are the best and worst times to travel this Fourth of July weekend:
Monday, July 1
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Minimal traffic impact expected
Tuesday, July 2
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Worst time: 14-18 hours.
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Best time: after 19:00.
Wednesday, July 3
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Worst time: 14-19 hours.
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Best time: before noon.
Thursday, July 4
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Worst time: 14-19 hours.
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Best time: before noon.
Friday, July 5
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Worst time: 11:00–16:00.
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Best time: before 10 am.
Saturday, July 6
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Worst time: 10:00–14:30.
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Best time: before 10 am.
Sunday, July 7
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Worst time: 14–20:00.
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Best time: before 11 am.
Monday, July 8
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Worst time: 13:00–17:00.
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Best time: after 19:00.
“Drivers in major metros can expect the worst traffic delays on Wednesday, July 3, when they leave the city, and Sunday, July 7, when they return,” Bob Pichu, transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a press release . “Traveling during the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than usual. Travelers should monitor 511, local news stations and traffic apps for the latest road conditions.”
AAA also has tips for avoiding peak congestion in several major U.S. cities.