Jun 30, 2026 - News
Fourth of July travel: Best and worst times to drive in Northeast Ohio
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More than 3 million Ohioans are expected to hit the road for the during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.
By the numbers: AAA forecasts this to be the busiest July 4 week for travel since at least 2019.
- An estimated 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for Independence Day.
- That's up from 71.8 million travelers last year, but a smaller jump than in recent years.
Zoom in: Most July 4 travelers (85%) are forecasted to drive this year, despite high gas prices, according to AAA.
- The worst July 4 holiday traffic started hitting most cities last week, per transportation data firm INRIX, which works with AAA to calculate travel times.
Be smart: To avoid the heaviest traffic, leave early in the day or consider driving early in the week rather than later, per INRIX.