A record number of Americans are expected to travel during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday period, despite rising transportation costs. According to projections by AAA, approximately 72.2 million people will journey between June 27 and July 5, surpassing last year’s figures. Of these, 61.4 million are anticipated to travel by car, a slight increase from the 61.3 million drivers recorded in 2025.

The increase in travel comes amid elevated prices, including gas costs that remain just below their highest levels in four years. Airfare to popular domestic cities such as Chicago and Denver is also up about 5% compared with last year. Nonetheless, travel remains a deeply rooted tradition for many Americans around Independence Day.

“For many Americans, traveling the week of July 4th is tradition,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, in a statement issued on June 17. Barber noted that the nine-day travel window includes both extended vacations and shorter trips for the long holiday weekend. While the overall volume of travelers appears to be reaching a plateau, AAA expects this year to set new records.

This year’s Fourth of July holds particular significance as the United States marks its semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary of independence, with celebrations planned nationwide. Major events, such as Macy’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks in New York City, are drawing visitors to key destinations. Macy’s has announced an expanded fireworks display to encompass additional areas, aiming to reach more communities than in previous years.

Domestic travelers are gravitating toward major cities including New York, Chicago, and Boston to participate in the milestone festivities. Florida’s Orlando and Fort Lauderdale continue to attract visitors with their theme parks and cruise departures, while Alaska cruise options boost demand for cities such as Seattle, Anchorage, and Fairbanks during the holiday week.

Internationally, Americans traveling abroad are favoring European cities like Rome, Dublin, Paris, and London. Canadian destinations such as Vancouver and Calgary also rank highly as preferred options for holiday travelers.

Despite the pressures of higher travel costs, the strong tradition of July Fourth travel and the lure of special celebrations appear to be driving an unprecedented volume of holiday journeys across the United States and beyond.