AAA: Record 4.2 Million Illinoisans Expected to Travel for July 4th Week

AAA projects 72.2 million Americans will travel domestically during the Independence Day holiday period (Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6). This represents an increase of 1.7 million travelers (2.4%) over last year and 7 million more than in 2019.

AAA’s forecast now accounts for two weekends to better reflect holiday travel trends, capturing extended trips and varied departure schedules.

Illinois Travel Trends

Illinois travel is expected to reach historic levels, with 4.2 million Illinoisans hitting the road, skies, and rails – that’s up 104,000 from last year.

• Driving: Nearly 3.9 million Illinoisans will take a road trip (+87,00, up 2.3% from last year).
• Flying:  More than 151,00 Illinoisans will fly domestically, comparable to last year.
• Other Modes: Nearly 257,000 Illinoisans will take buses, trains, or cruises (+16,500, up 7%). 

ILLINOIS INDEPENDENCE DAY TOTAL TRAVELERS

"Independence Day is one of the most popular times for travel, with Americans eager to take advantage of summer vacation opportunities," said Debbie Haas, Vice President of AAA Travel. "This year, we're seeing strong demand for road trips, flights, and cruises, especially with the holiday falling on a Friday. This is allowing travelers to extend their getaways and make lasting memories with loved ones."

How Americans Are Traveling This Independence Day

By Car:

AAA estimates 61.6 million Americans will drive—a 2.2% increase from last year and the highest number ever recorded. 1.3 million more road travelers are expected compared to 2024.

Drivers should prepare their vehicles in advance, as AAA responded to nearly 700,000 roadside assistance calls nationwide during last year’s holiday period for issues like dead batteries, flat tires, and empty gas tanks.

Gas prices are likely to fluctuate before Independence Day. Last week, oil prices surged in response to Israel’s strikes on Iran, increasing gasoline production costs. While analysts suggest this may be a short-term reaction, it’s too early to know whether prices will stabilize before the holiday. Illinois drivers are currently paying $3.40. That is approximately 40 cents per gallon less than last year’s holiday. Visit GasPrices.AAA.com for the latest gas price averages.

Road Trip Inspiration: Take a road trip to one of the 10 Best National Parks to Visit in Summer on AAA Trip Canvas.

By Air:

Air travel is reaching record-breaking numbers nationwide, with 5.84 million people flying, a 1.4% increase over last year's previous high. This figure exclusively represents domestic leisure travel, counting complete round-trip itineraries as a single trip. This differs from TSA data, which tracks each individual airport screening separately and includes both domestic and international travel.

AAA data shows round-trip domestic flights averaging $810, up 4% from 2024. Travelers booking last-minute can find better deals by flying midweek (Tuesdays or Wednesdays).

Air Travel Inspiration: Need family-friendly ideas? Explore the 17 Best Vacation Spots for Families on AAA Trip Canvas.

By Other Modes:

Nearly 4.78 million people will travel by bus, train, or cruise, marking a 7.4% rise over last year. Cruising continues to fuel this growth, particularly in peak Alaska cruise season.

Cruise Inspiration: Check out the 9 Best Alaska Cruises for Every Traveler for your next adventure.

AAA’s Top Independence Day Destinations

AAA booking data reveals the most sought-after travel spots for July 4th:

These destinations are based on AAA booking data for the Independence Day travel period. Cruises, beaches, and fireworks are the main motivators for travelers heading to these cities. Alaska cruises are in peak season, Florida and Hawaii are in high demand for their resorts and attractions, and New York and Boston host two of the most popular fireworks shows in the nation.

Internationally, Vancouver tops the list for its mild weather and perfect blend of urban excitement and natural beauty. This is followed by Europe’s most in-demand cities like Rome and Paris.

Best & Worst Times to Drive

According to INRIX, expect heavy road congestion on Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6. The busiest times will be afternoons, while mornings offer the best escape from traffic.

Ideal Travel Times:

• Worst hours: Afternoon to early evening
• Best hours: Early morning

Drivers should remain alert for construction delays, crashes, and severe weather. AAA reminds all motorists to Slow Down, Move Over for emergency responders assisting roadside travelers.

"We encourage travelers to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect their plans,” said Haas. “Unexpected disruptions like flight delays, lost luggage, or medical emergencies can turn a dream vacation into a stressful experience. Travel insurance provides peace of mind, ensuring you can enjoy your Independence Day getaway with confidence."

Looking for a last-minute rental car, hotel, or flight? Visit AAA.com/travel to lock in your plans or connect with a AAA Travel Advisor for expert guidance on crafting a trip tailored to your interests.

# # #

Holiday Forecast Methodology  

Travel Forecast 

In cooperation with AAA, S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) developed a unique methodology to forecast actual domestic travel volumes. The economic variables used to forecast travel for the current holiday are leveraged from SPGMI’s proprietary databases. These data include macroeconomic drivers such as employment, output, household net worth, asset prices including stock indices, interest rates, housing market indicators, and variables related to travel and tourism, including gasoline prices, airline travel, and hotel stays. AAA and SPGMI have quantified holiday travel volumes going back to 2000.

Historical travel volume estimates come from MMGY’s TRAVEL PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM. The PERFORMANCE/MonitorSM is a comprehensive study measuring the travel behavior of U.S. residents. MMGY contacts over 50,000 U.S. households each month to obtain detailed travel data, resulting in the unique ability to estimate visitor volume and spending, identify trends, forecast U.S. travel behavior and position brand, all after the trips have been taken. 

The travel forecast is reported in person-trips. In particular, AAA and SPGMI forecast the total U.S. holiday travel volume and expected mode of transportation. The travel forecast presented in this report was prepared the week of May 19, 2025.

Because AAA holiday forecasts focus on domestic leisure travel only, comparisons to TSA passenger screening numbers should not be made. TSA data includes all passengers traveling on both domestic and international routes, whether traveling for work or leisure. Additionally, TSA screens passengers each time they enter secured areas of the airport, therefore each one-way trip is counted as a passenger tally. AAA focuses on person-trips, which include the full round-trip travel itinerary. As a result, direct comparisons of AAA forecast volumes and daily TSA screenings represent different factors.

Independence Day Holiday Travel Period

The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as the nine-day period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6. Historically, this holiday period included only one weekend. The expanded travel window was instituted starting in 2024 with historical results calculated back to 2019 using the new nine-day period.