Tips for avoiding 4th of July holiday traffic
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Be prepared for traffic congestion and delays during the Fourth of July holiday as a record number of people hit the road.
Why it matters: Plan ahead so you don't spend your vacation stuck in gridlock.
The big picture: Nearly 71 million people are expected to travel during the holiday week, AAA says.
- "With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, in a statement.
- "We anticipate this July Fourth week will be the busiest ever," she added.
By the numbers: A record 60.6 million people will travel by car, meaning almost 3 million more people will be on the roads compared to last year.
Worst days for Fourth of July travel
Zoom in: "Road trips over the holiday week could take up to 67% longer than normal," said Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, which provides transportation data and insights.
- The worst delays will be in large metro areas on July 3 as people leave town and on July 7 when they return, INRIX says.
- The best time to hit the road is in the morning, except for on July 8, when drivers should avoid rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon.
Florida Fourth of July travel warning
Threat alert: Be extra careful if you are heading to Florida beaches.
- Five people drowned last week in rip currents at Panama City Beach. Check the beach flags before you get in the water.
- And, the panhandle is on high alert after three people were injured in shark attacks. Here are tips for avoiding shark attacks.
New Orleans Fourth of July fireworks and other activities
Meanwhile, if you are staycationing in New Orleans, check out these options for splash pads, hotel pools, snoballs and ice cream shops.
- There are several Fourth of July fireworks shows and festivals throughout the week.
- Plus, Essence Fest kicks off Thursday with nightly performances at the Caesars Superdome and free events at the convention center.