Orlando, Seattle, New York, and Honolulu Among Booming July Fourth Destinations Best Times to Leave, Soaring Travel Demand, and What It’ll Cost to Join the Holiday Travel Surge

Monday, June 23, 2025

As Independence Day approaches, the upcoming travel surge is shaping up to be one of the busiest periods of the year, rivaling the winter holiday season. It was forecasted that between June 28 and July 6, approximately 72.2 million Americans would take to the skies, roads, and rails, reflecting a 2.4% increase compared to the same time last year.

Among these travelers, the majority—about 61.6 million—are expected to travel by car, maintaining driving as the most preferred method of transportation. Interestingly, air travel is also on the rise, with an estimated 5.84 million passengers set to board flights during this stretch. This uptick comes despite domestic airfare averaging $810, which is 4% higher than the year before.

A Rare Travel Opportunity for Many

The alignment of the Fourth of July with a Friday this year has created a long weekend, giving people the perfect excuse to plan an extended break. This unique calendar setup allows travelers to stretch vacations without using up an entire workweek of paid time off. Because of this, many are expected to venture beyond the U.S., with longer international trips becoming more common.

While ticket prices during the holiday week tend to edge up slightly due to high demand, the overall trend for summer airfares is actually more traveler-friendly. On average, summer ticket prices are down 7% from last year. For the holiday week specifically, domestic flight prices have risen by 3.4% to $585, while international fares climbed 3.9% to $1,396. Those willing to fly on July 4th itself could benefit from lower prices and fewer crowds at airports.

Where Everyone’s Going

Travelers are showing strong interest in both domestic and international destinations. Some of the top U.S. cities attracting vacationers this season include Orlando (FL), Seattle (WA), New York City (NY), Anchorage (AK), Fort Lauderdale (FL), Honolulu (HI), Denver (CO), Miami (FL), Boston (MA), and Atlanta (GA).

Beyond national borders, Americans are setting their sights on global hubs like Vancouver (Canada), Rome (Italy), Paris (France), London (England), Barcelona (Spain), Dublin (Ireland), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Calgary (Canada), Athens (Greece), and Lisbon (Portugal).

These high-demand destinations could place added pressure on airlines, airport staff, hotel availability, and local transit systems. These spikes typically affect everything from scheduling flights to securing accommodations and even arranging tours or ground transportation.

When to Hit the Road (or Not)

With more people opting to drive, knowing when to depart is crucial to avoiding gridlock. Experts suggested that motorists aiming to beat traffic should consider morning departures on key dates. The least congested times for driving are:

• June 28 (Saturday) – before 10 a.m.
• June 29 (Sunday) – before 11 a.m.
• June 30 (Monday) – before noon
• July 1 (Tuesday) – before 2 p.m.
• July 2 (Wednesday) – before noon
• July 3 (Thursday) – before noon
• July 4 (Friday) – before noon
• July 5 (Saturday) – before 11 a.m.
• July 6 (Sunday) – before 11 a.m.

On the flip side, travelers were cautioned about high-traffic periods, especially in the afternoons. The worst times to be on the road include:

• June 28 – between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• June 29 – between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• June 30 – between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• July 1 – between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• July 2 – between noon and 9 p.m.
• July 3 – between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• July 4 – between noon and 7 p.m.
• July 5 – between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• July 6 – between noon and 6 p.m.

Afternoons are expected to be the most congested, as travelers head out or return from their destinations.

City-by-City Traffic Hotspots

Certain urban corridors are notorious for heavy travel delays during this period. Authorities have pinpointed several departure and return traffic bottlenecks:

• Atlanta: Leave on June 29 via I‑20 W at 12:15 p.m.; return on July 6 via I‑16 W at 2:30 p.m.
• Boston: Depart June 28 on Route 3 S at 10:45 a.m.; return July 5 on Route 3 N at 11:45 a.m.
• Denver: Travel June 30 on I‑25 N at 1:45 p.m.; return July 5 on I‑25 S at 6:30 p.m.
• Houston: Head out June 28 on I‑45 S at 11:15 a.m.; come back July 6 on I‑45 N at 11:45 a.m.
• Los Angeles: Depart June 28 on I‑5 S at 5 p.m.; return July 6 on I‑15 S at 5 p.m.
• New York: Exit July 1 on Garden State Pkwy S at 4:30 p.m.; return July 6 on I‑87 S at 4:15 a.m.
• San Francisco: Travel July 2 on I‑80 E at 5:30 p.m.; return July 6 on I‑80 W at 4:30 p.m.
• Seattle: Depart July 2 on I‑5 S at 5:45 p.m.; return July 6 on I‑90 E at 4:30 p.m.
• Washington, D.C.: Leave June 28 on US‑50 E at 1:45 p.m.; return July 4 on US‑50 W at 11:30 a.m.

Global Impacts and Industry Adjustments

This massive seasonal movement carries implications far beyond individual travelers. The travel industry worldwide feels the ripple effect—from airports and airlines to fuel supply chains, ground transportation, and the hospitality sector. While such a surge is often a boon for tourism-driven economies, it also brings logistical strain, especially in areas where infrastructure is already under pressure.

Airlines and hotels are likely to use these patterns to fine-tune their pricing strategies, adjust staffing levels, and plan for fleet distribution more effectively. Meanwhile, traffic apps and travel planners are expected to use real-time data and trends to offer smarter routing and dynamic pricing models, especially around peak holiday times.

In summary, travel during the Fourth of July period is experiencing noticeable growth. With 72.2 million travelers, rising airfare, and heavy road traffic, both travelers and industry leaders will need to plan wisely. The effects are not just local—they echo across international borders, impacting everything from airport operations to hotel bookings, and signaling how critical strategic planning is for a smooth summer getaway.