AAA Motor Club is predicting a record number of people will be traveling in both Illinois and across the nation to celebrate the Fourth of July this week.
Aurora resident Saul Olivas has an upcoming trip he’s taking to Philadelphia that, in some ways, he’d rather not make.
“I’m leaving on July 2nd and not coming back until July 8,” he said about his upcoming business trip. “I’m getting to the airport early. I leave at 11 in the morning and know that this whole week is going to be busy with people traveling. It’s a long weekend for them and airports are going to be really crowded and it’s going to take more time to get there and be ready for check-ins and stuff.”
Olivas’ narrative might not sum up the itinerary for millions who are traveling this week, but his advice about crowds, airport congestion, check-ins and more echoes the words of officials at AAA Motor Club.
The AAA group is already tracking what it sees as a two-weekend, nine-day Fourth of July travel period that began over the weekend and will continue through next Monday.
Spokesperson for AAA Molly Hart said with more people working remotely following the pandemic, many travelers have already hit the road or the skies “and can work remotely wherever they are heading.”
“There will be record-setting numbers over this nine-day period,” Hart said. “This is the first time we are including two weekends because of where the Fourth of July falls.”
Nationally, Hart said nearly 71 million people are expected to travel during the extended holiday period, a number “that surpasses pre-pandemic numbers.”
“This surge in travel indicates a significant rebound in travel confidence and a strong desire for people to just celebrate the Fourth with friends and family,” she said. “We’re up 5% on overall travel compared to 2023 and 8% over 2019 numbers.”
Here in Illinois, Hart said 3.7 million people are expected to travel by car during the holiday period, over 179,000 more than last year, which would be a new record for the state.
“In regards to going by car it’s going to be very congested in the late afternoon and evening hours and as we always encourage people – it’s for them to get up early and go,” she said. “In regards to people going by air, 150,359 are going to be getting on a plane (in Illinois) as compared to 144,711 a year ago.”
Summer Gunnell of Batavia said she’s planning a three-hour car ride to Michigan for a motocross race during the holiday period and is planning on taking Hart’s advice regarding her trip.
“We know it’s going to be crowded and we’re getting up early in order not to run into too much traffic and get there in time,” she said. “If it wasn’t for this race we’d rather not travel at all, but it’s something we want to see.”
A gas price comparison shows that heading into the first week in July, Illinois gas prices averaged $3.86, slightly less than a year ago at $3.94. Chicago prices this July stand at $4.35 versus $4.52 a year ago.
Hart said the Memorial Day holiday this year offered a glimpse of what Fourth of July travel might be like.
“Fortunately, we didn’t see a lot of issues during Memorial Day weekend and we broke records then too, but we didn’t see anything at the airport that caused big news, big problems,” she said. “We’re expecting it’s going to be the same, but we always encourage people to get to the airport at least two hours early or even three hours earlier. TSA works on being fully staffed.”
Avoid checking bags, if possible, Hart said, “which can delay your getting to your final destination” and be sure to pack a carry-on with a change of clothes and any necessary medications.
While many will prefer to avoid the hassle and remain home in their own back yard with their own food, family and friends, Hart suggests in the end traveling during this year’s long Fourth of July holiday stretch “is a matter of personal choice.”
“We’re seeing and hearing that people just love to travel whether it’s event destinations or maybe two destinations given the extended time this year that might include family too,” she said.
Hart says AAA is expecting to help out over 800,000 stranded motorists in the next week for reasons that include “a flat tire, battery problems or a lockout.”
“You do want to get things inspected before you go out in your car,” she said.
Other recommendations from AAA include checking windshield wipers, topping off fluids and carrying an emergency kit in your vehicle.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
