Auto Club: 5.48 Million Southern Californians Expected To Travel Over July 4th Week

The Automobile Club of Southern California projects 5.48 million Southern Californians will travel at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day between Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, July 5. This year's Southern California travel forecast is up 0.5% over 2025 and 8% higher than 2019 before the pandemic. The number of local residents driving and flying to their destinations is relatively flat compared to last year, while travel by other modes, including cruises, buses and trains, is seeing the biggest year-over-year increase.

"For many Southern Californians, traveling the week of July 4th is tradition," said Jena Miller, vice president of travel products and services. "The Auto Club expects travel volumes to remain near record levels this Independence Day holiday period, with most travelers taking road trips and many others flying or choosing cruises, buses and trains. Whether travelers are leaving for the full week or a long holiday weekend, planning ahead can help reduce stress and keep everyone safer."

Busy Roadways

The Auto Club projects 4.33 million Southern Californians will travel by car over July 4th week, up 0.1% from last year and 7.4% higher than 2019. Auto travel continues to make up the overwhelming majority of Independence Day trips, despite gas prices reaching four-year highs nationally. For many families, filling up the tank for a road trip remains less expensive than purchasing plane tickets.

Rental Car Demand

For travelers renting cars over July 4th, AAA car rental partner Hertz expects Thursday, July 2 to be the busiest pickup day. Hertz says Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles and New York City are the cities with the highest demand based on advanced bookings. According to AAA booking data, domestic car rentals are 10% more expensive this holiday week compared to last year.

Busy Airports

The Auto Club projects 763,000 Southern Californians will fly to their destinations during the Independence Day holiday period, which is 1.2% higher than the number of air travelers last year and 17.1% higher than 2019. Nationally, AAA expects 5.85 million travelers to take domestic flights over July 4th week, a 0.2% increase over last year. According to AAA booking data, roundtrip domestic flights to top destinations like Chicago and Denver are 5% more expensive, with domestic flights averaging about $830 a ticket.

Busy Cruise Ports, Buses and Trains

Travel by other modes is seeing the strongest year-over-year growth in Southern California. The Auto Club projects 380,000 Southern Californians will travel by bus, train or cruise over Independence Day week, up 4.6% compared to last year. Nationally, AAA projects 4.93 million Americans will travel by other modes, a 5.3% increase from 2025. Cruises continue to help drive interest in this category, with travelers drawn to upfront pricing, onboard entertainment, dining and multiple destinations in one trip.

Summer Safety on the Road

July 4th week can be especially dangerous on the road with more teen drivers behind the wheel and a rise in impaired driving due to holiday festivities. AAA is urging drivers to commit to 100 Days of Safe Driving this summer. According to AAA crash data analysis, nearly one in three summertime traffic deaths involves an impaired driver. AAA, in partnership with MADD, reminds anyone who plans to drink or use impairing substances to arrange a sober ride before going out.

Drivers preparing to take road trips should prioritize routine maintenance, including oil changes, battery checks and tire pressure. Last year during Independence Day week, AAA responded to more than 687,000 roadside assistance calls. Half of those required towing services, and nearly 30% of those calls were for battery replacement and flat tires.

Once on the road, AAA reminds drivers to Slow Down, Move Over whenever there are emergency responders and stranded motorists on the side of the road. By reducing speed and changing lanes, drivers allow roadside workers to do their jobs safely and help prevent tragedies.

Gas Prices

AAA expects most Independence Day travelers to drive, even as gas prices remain elevated compared to last year. Prices can fluctuate heading into the holiday due to crude oil prices, gasoline demand, refinery operations and severe weather. The Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and storms along the Gulf Coast can affect oil refineries and disrupt fuel deliveries, leading to temporary increases in gas prices.

Top Independence Day Destinations

AAA members are heading to major U.S. cities over July 4th week and flying internationally to Canada and Europe. Alaska cruises are in peak season, which is why Seattle, Anchorage and Fairbanks are among the top domestic destinations. Independence Day fireworks and festivities in New York, Chicago and Boston also draw big crowds. Florida ranks high thanks to theme parks, beaches and cruise ports.

Best/Worst Times to Drive

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says the second weekend of the holiday period will be the busiest on the roads, starting Thursday, July 2. Drivers looking to avoid the heaviest traffic should leave early in the day or consider traveling on Monday or Tuesday. In Southern California, INRIX expects the busiest routes to be Los Angeles to Bakersfield on I-5 North on Saturday, June 27 at 2:45 p.m., along with San Diego to Palm Springs via I-15 North on Wednesday, July 1 at 6:15 p.m. Both those travel times are expected to be at least 67% higher than during normal conditions.

Independence Day Holiday Travel Period

AAA's Independence Day holiday travel period spans nine days and includes two weekends. This year, the dates range from Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, July 5. 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.

About AAA

Founded in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts advocating for better roads and safer mobility, AAA has grown into one of North America's largest and most trusted membership organizations. AAA provides world-class roadside assistance, travel planning, exclusive discounts, and reliable financial and insurance services. Today, AAA enhances the life journey of more than 66 million members across North America, including over 58 million in the United States. Learn more or become a member at AAA.com.