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- A record number of people are expected to take Fourth of July road trips.
- Transportation data company Inrix has the best and worst times to leave for the holiday weekend.
- Travel experts say there are still ways to save money for your Fourth of July road trip.
This Fourth of July weekend will be unlike any other, and if you’re one of the estimated 42 million people expected to take a road trip for the holiday, you’re more than likely to be stuck in traffic.
The holiday falls on a Monday this year, which turns the holiday into a de facto three day weekend, a reason why Bob Pishue, transportation analyst for transportation data company Inrix, says could be why there could be increased travel. AAA said other factors include the ongoing issue of cancelations and delays happening at airports throughout the country.
Here are ways to avoid frustration and missing out on any firework shows or celebrations if you plan on hitting the road this week.
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When is the best time to leave for Fourth of July weekend?
The earlier the better, Pishue said, as it gives flexibility to deal with any random traffic.
He added since the pandemic began, mornings have been lighter than before because people weren’t going into work. Even though return to work has begun, it still remains a great time to travel, as well as the night.
“They’re not as many people are commuting into work at 7:30 or 8 o’clock (a.m.). So the mornings are lighter, but the midday travel is as strong or a little bit stronger,” Pishue told USA TODAY. “People are getting out in midday and afternoons. Not so much in the morning. So leave early, that’s generally the best.”
Here are the best times to travel for the holiday weekend, according to Inrix:
Thursday: Before 7:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m.
Friday: Before 10:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: Before 12:00 p.m. or after 7:00 p.m.
“If you really want to beat the traffic, if you want to get to where you’re going quicker and with less hassle, I would recommend leaving midweek if possible,” Oneika Raymond, travel expert and host on the Travel Channel, told USA TODAY.
If you’re planning a quick trip for the end of the weekend, good news: Sunday and Monday are expected to have low congestion all day.
When is the worst time to leave for Fourth of July weekend?
While the morning and nights are the best, the daytime is where you’ll find the most pain behind the wheel.
Aside from the traffic, there could be a lot of other factors to make sitting in traffic worse; the daytime could mean hot temperatures inside the car if air conditioning isn’t working or fails.
“As far as safety and stuff is concerned, with the heat made sure you got a ton of water, don’t overly stress,” Pishue said.
Here are the worst times to travel for the holiday weekend, according to Inrix:
Thursday: 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Pishue added another thing to consider if you are traveling during these peak traffic times is the possibility of car accidents. There have been a rise in serious car accidents and fatalities since 2020, so if an accident happens, it could mean a more extended time on the road and a greater need to stay alert behind the wheel.
“A lot of things can happen on a roadway,” Pishue said. “We can’t predict that.”
If the only time you can travel is during the peak times, Pishue said to have a traffic app or GPS unit on, as they can offer alternative routes like scenic routes as opposed to major highways and “make the driving experience a little bit more enjoyable.”
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Travel impact on major US cities
If you plan on traveling to a major city or leaving one, travel times could be even worse.
Here are the worst parts of the roads in a handful of major U.S. cities, and what times could make travel a nightmare, according to Inrix.
Atlanta
- Worst corridor: I-85 South, Clairmont Road to MLK Jr. Drive
- Worst day: Thursday
- Worst time: 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 134%
Boston
- Worst corridor: I-93 South, Purchase Street to MA-24
- Worst day: Thursday
- Worst time: 2:00-4:00 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 103%
Chicago
- Worst corridor: I-290 West, Morgan Street to Wolf Road
- Worst day: Friday
- Worst time: 2:45-4:45 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 100%
Detroit
- Worst corridor: I-696 West, MI-10 to I-275
- Worst day: Thursday
- Worst time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 67%
Houston
- Worst corridor: I-69 North, I-610 to I-10
- Worst day: Friday
- Worst time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 92%
Los Angeles
- Worst corridor: I-5 South, Colorado Street to Florence Avenue
- Worst day: Friday.
- Worst time: 4:15-6:15 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 123%.
New York
- Worst corridor: Belt Parkway West, Cohancy Street to I-278
- Worst day: Saturday
- Worst time: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 142%
San Francisco
- Worst corridor: I-80 West, Maritime Street to San Pablo Dam Road
- Worst day: Thursday.
- Worst time: 5:45-7:45 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 75%
Seattle
- Worst corridor: I-5 South, WA-18 to WA-7
- Worst day: Friday
- Worst time: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
- Peak travel time increase: 138%
Washington
- Worst corridor: I-495 counterclockwise, New Hampshire Avenue to I-267
- Worst day: Thursday
- Worst time: 3:15-5:15PM
- Peak travel time increase: 63%
How to save money for a Fourth of July weekend road trip
Raymond said there are still ways families can save money. She recommends people not wait until the last minute to leave because it can create a host of problems, no matter the means of transportation. She also recommends taking advantage of rewards programs to cut the cost of some travel expenses.
“Not only will it be stressful, it’ll also be very expensive, and you might run into issues with availability. That goes across the board that goes for flights, rental cars, hotels and other alternative types of accommodation,” Raymond said.
If you’re traveling with other family or friends, Raymond added it’s still not too late to plan out the road trip together so you can save money on gas, as the national average still remains high at $4.89 a gallon, according to AAA. If you are trying to save money on gas, she said it’s best to fill up “sooner rather than later” and monitor prices throughout your road trip route, in case one state has cheaper gas than another.
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.
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