TEXAS — More Texans are projected to travel over the Fourth of July holiday week than ever before, according to estimates from AAA.

What You Need To Know

  • Approximately 5.6 million Texans are expected to travel for the Fourth of July holiday this year. It's the highest recorded travel estimate to date, according to AAA

  • Most people will travel by car, followed by air travel

  • Gas prices are cheaper this year compared to last year

  • The worst times to travel by car on July 4 and on the days leading up to it are between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Plan to leave early to avoid traffic

Approximately 5.6 million Texans will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home for the holiday from Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, July 7. It’s a 5.2% increase from 2023.

“We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest for this holiday ever,” said Galen Grillo, vice president and general manager of AAA Texas. “Travel is in high gear this summer with more people not only booking domestic trips, but AAA travel advisors are seeing more international and cruise bookings as many people are taking bucket list vacations.”

Traveling by car this July Fourth is by far the most popular mode of transportation for Texans this year, with 4.8 million people expected to road trip for the holiday. Meanwhile, 555,000 will travel by air and 242,000 will use an alternate mode of transportation. AAA reports a significant increase in cruise and air travel compared to 2023.

Top road trip destinations for Texans over the Fourth of July holiday include:

  • Galveston

  • Corpus Christi

  • State parks

  • San Antonio River Walk

  • Fredericksburg/the Hill Country

  • Houston

  • Dallas

  • Austin

Road trippers are in luck because gas prices are cheaper now than they were at this time last year. The current average in Texas is $3.07, slightly less than the national average. AAA expects gas prices to continue dropping leading up to Independence Day.

According to AAA via INRIX, the worst times to travel by car on July 4 and on the days leading up to it are between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Drivers are advised to get started earlier to avoid traffic, and those returning Monday, July 8 should avoid morning and afternoon rush hours.