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AAA expects record-breaking travel for the 4th of July holiday, with 72.2 million Americans (21.1 % of the population) going 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period. This is an increase of 1.7 million travelers (2.4%) compared to last year and 7 million more (10.7%) from 2019.

In Oregon, about 875,000 will travel for the 4th of July. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.

The number of Americans traveling by car and air over the holiday are expected to break records. AAA projects 61.6 million people including 686,000 Oregonians will travel by car over Independence Day week. For air travel, AAA projects 5.84 million Americans including 124,000 Oregonians will fly to their destinations. Find more details and tips for travelers below.

“It’s shaping up to be a very busy summer travel season, and the July 4th holiday is one of the most popular times of the year for a trip. With the holiday falling on a Friday this year, travelers can enjoy a long weekend or take the entire week off to take to the roads, skies and seas to celebrate,” says Doreen Loofburrow, Senior Vice President of Travel at AAA Oregon/Idaho.

“Despite concerns about the economy, consumers are making travel a priority. Road trips are the most popular way to travel for Independence Day, and going by car is often cheaper and more flexible than going by other modes,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Top Independence Day Destinations

AAA booking data reveals that theme parks, beaches, and cruise gateway cities are the most popular based on searches and bookings by members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Anaheim is the top domestic destination as Independence Day travelers head to theme parks. Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. rank high because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. European cities dominate the list of international destinations.

In Oregon, Central Oregon and the Oregon Coast are popular destinations. Both areas have two cities in the list of the top 10 most popular regional destinations.

Road trips to set new record

AAA expects car travel to set a record this 4th of July as 61.6 million Americans (85.3% of travelers) drive to their destinations. This is up 2.2% and an increase of 1.3 million car travelers over last year, and also surpasses 2019 when 55.3 million took a holiday road trip.

In Oregon, more than 686,000 will drive to their Independence Day destinations.

“The good old American road trip is the most popular way to travel for the 4th of July. Car travel is the preferred mode because it’s usually the most economical way to go, especially for families,” says Dodds.

AAA digital resources can help plan your trip

AAA offers an entire library of digital resources to make your trip more enjoyable and it’s all available in one convenient spot at AAA.com/TripCanvas. For example, pack up the car and take a road trip to one of the 10 Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer. Still debating where to take the kids this summer? Check out 17 Best Vacation Spots for Families. Missed the boat this summer? Start planning now for your Alaska cruise next year! Here are the 9 Best Alaska Cruises for Every Traveler.

If you are looking for maps, visit AAA.com/maps. With the AAA mobile app, you can request emergency road service, book a last-minute hotel, and even find the cheapest fuel and closest EV charging stations along the way. Download it at AAA.com/mobile or visit the App Store or Google Play.

Record number of air travelers expected

AAA projects 5.84 million Americans will take to the skies for Independence Day. This is up 1.4% from last year and a 14.2% increase over 2019. In all, about 8% of all travelers will fly to their holiday destinations.

In Oregon, more than 124,000 will fly to their Independence Day destinations.

Jump in other modes of travel

Travel by other modes including cruises, buses and trains will rise by 7.4% from 2024, with nearly 4.78 million people (6.6% of all travelers). This year’s number is just shy of 4.79 million in 2019.

Cruising is driving the popularity of this category. This time of year, the Alaska cruise season is in full swing, making Seattle and Vancouver B.C. top destinations.

Approximately 64,000 Oregonians will travel by other modes.

Tips for those flying this Independence Day:

Check your airline’s website or download their app to keep up to date on your flight status, including checking one last time right before you leave for the airport. Allow push notifications so the airline can alert you of any changes.
Check-in online for flights 24 hours ahead
Arrive at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international. Expect long security lines due to the spike in travelers.
Airport parking lots will likely be at or near capacity. Many airports including Portland International airport let you check current availability https://www.flypdx.com/Parking. Some parking facilities let you book in advance.
Consider taking transit, using a ride sharing service or taxi, or getting a ride with a friend or family member to the airport so you don’t have to park onsite.
Carry your bags on your flight instead of checking them. If you do need to check bags, bring medications, a change of clothes, comfortable shoes, and any other necessary items with you on the flight. That way you’ll have provisions if your checked bags get lost or delayed. Make sure your bags have name tags, and also put your name and contact info inside each bag. Consider using a luggage tracker.
Bring a refillable water bottle and plan ahead for meals and snacks. Airport restaurants can be very busy with long lines at times, making it challenging to order food if you have a short connection time. Many airlines allow you to pre-order food up to 24 hours before your flight. The TSA allows solid foods through screening but liquids or gels (such as yogurt) must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Consider booking a flight during non-peak travel periods to cut down on wait times. In general, early morning flights tend to have fewer delays and cancellations than flights later in the day.
Sign up for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and/or CLEAR before your trip to expedite the security screening process. However, even these check-in lanes will be busier than usual. And confirm that the airports you use offer CLEAR as it’s not available at all airports.

REAL ID:

TSA began enforcing REAL ID requirements on May 7. Passengers are required to have a REAL ID to board domestic flights. These are REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or other state photo ID cards.

Acceptable alternatives to a REAL ID include:

A U.S. passport or passport card
Any government-issued passport
DHS Trusted Traveler cards, including Global Entry and SENTRI
U.S. military IDs (active duty, retired, and dependent)

Air travelers who don’t have a REAL ID may still be able to fly but must go through additional screening so plan on lots of extra time. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening.

Find out more about REAL ID on the TSA’s website.

Best and worst times to drive

AAA has partnered with INRIX, a global provider of transportation data and insights, to determine the best and worst times to drive over the Independence Day holiday period.

The most congested times to drive are Wednesday, July 2 as folks head to their destinations, and Sunday, July 6 as travelers return home. Afternoon and evening hours will be the most congested, especially in urban areas where travelers mix with commuters. Drivers should hit the road in the morning to avoid the worst traffic, but keep in mind construction, crashes, or severe weather could impact travel times. Watch for stopped vehicles and Slow Down, Move Over for emergency responders.

“Use traffic apps, local traffic reports on the radio, and 511 services to get the latest info on congestion. But with a record number of car travelers expected over the Independence Day holiday, plan on extra time to reach your destination,” says Dodds.

Gas prices lower than or similar to last year, depending on region

Drivers in some parts of the country are paying less for gas this year compared to Independence Day 2024, while drivers in Oregon are paying about the same as last year. All U.S. drivers are getting a big break at the pumps compared to 2022 when prices were at record highs for the holiday.

The national average is currently $3.22 and the Oregon average is $4.06 (as of June 21, 2025). Find current gas prices at https://gasprices.aaa.com/

Factor that will impact pump prices include unrest in the Middle East, the war between Russia and Ukraine, other geo-political events, the U.S. and global economies, and storms. Weather is a wild card – storms and hurricanes can impact crude oil and gas prices, especially storms in the U.S. Gulf Coast.

For local news releases on gas prices, visit https://info.oregon.aaa.com/oregon-gas-prices/

Use the AAA Mobile App (AAA.com/mobile) to help you find the least expensive gas in your area. You can also find the closest EV charging stations.

Source: AAA

Mike Jones