CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year. 

What You Need To Know

  • AAA says travel for this Independence Day will be the second busiest since 2000
  • About 1.4 million North Carolinians are expected to travel 50 miles or more
  • Travel agents recommend planning ahead for any disruptions

In fact, AAA predicts this Independence Day will be the second busiest since 2000 as travel volumes continue to trend up.

AAA says there’s no end in sight. 

About 1.4 million North Carolinians are expected to travel 50 miles or more this holiday, the company estimated. 

Gas prices are top of mind for everyone driving for the Fourth of July, but people who are flying are not without their concerns either as thousands of flights have been canceled in recent weeks. 

If you are flying, travel agent Erica Carpenter says to be as prepared as possible. 

Carpenter, who is an independent contractor for Cupcake Castles Travel Company, says she’s worked as an agent for the last six years. 

She’s worked with more than 800 clients, successfully helping rebook canceled or delayed trips. 

Lately, however, she says the options are slim. 

“Charlotte to Montego Bay used to have nonstops all day,” she said while looking at flight options for a client. “There’s two.”

As many flights continue to be canceled, Carpenter says it has a lot to do with a shortage of crew to work the flights, which was prompted by the pandemic and has no end in sight. 

“People want to travel, the demand is there, but the staffing is short,” she said. 

If you are flying, Carpenter recommends buying travel insurance. 

“You insure your house, you insure your car, some trips cost a lot of money,” she said. “So you would want to have that as a back up plan.”

She also recommends that while booking, regardless of the travel site, read the website’s policy. 

“Make sure you read the fine print because that’s your terms and conditions that if something happens to your flight, either you are getting a refund or you are getting flight credit, all in the fine print,” she said. 

She also says to sign up for flight updates on your phone so you can get constant notifications. 

“You want all the notifications you can get because when they start rebooking you at the airport, it's first come first serve,” she said. 

AAA says Friday will be the busiest day for air travel. Both Thursday and Friday will be the busiest days for road travel.