July 4th Travel Forecast: Best and Worst Driving Times

Over 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the 2026 Fourth of July holiday period, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). While AAA defines this period as nine days, from Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, July 5, transportation data partner INRIX indicates that the upcoming weekend will be the busiest travel period within this holiday span for most regions. Automobiles are projected to carry 61.4 million travelers, a slight increase from 61.3 million last year. Air travel is anticipated to transport 5.85 million people, while 4.93 million Americans will utilize buses, trains, or cruises.

For those opting to travel by car during the three-day weekend, INRIX data suggests specific times when traffic congestion is likely to be at its lowest. The optimal times to hit the road are Friday, July 3, before 11:00 AM; Saturday, July 4, after 3:00 PM; and Sunday, July 5, before 11:00 AM. These windows offer the best chance for smoother journeys with minimal delays.

Conversely, INRIX data also identifies periods of significant traffic congestion that travelers should aim to avoid. The worst times to be on the road are Friday, July 3, between 11:00 AM and 10:00 PM; Saturday, July 4, between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM; and Sunday, July 5, between 11:00 AM and 9:00 PM. These peak travel hours are expected to experience the heaviest traffic volumes, potentially leading to substantial delays for drivers.