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Record Numbers Expected to Travel this July Fourth Holiday

Monday, June 26th, 2023 -- 10:01 AM

Wisconsinites will travel in record numbers for Independence Day.

AAA forecasts more than 1.135 million residents of the Badger State will take at least one trip of 50 miles or more, between Friday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 4. That’s 48,600 more holiday travelers than the previous record high, set last year.

Nationally, travel figures are also expected to set new records. An estimated 50.7 million Americans are forecast to travel for the holiday weekend. That’s nearly 2.1 million more travelers than last year’s holiday and almost 1.8 million more than the previous high, set back in 2019.

Nearly 85% of all travelers will take a road trip. AAA predicts 43.2 million Americans will drive to their destinations. That’s a little over 1 million more people on the road than last year. In a first for Wisconsin, more than 1 million are forecast to take a holiday road trip.

That’s 31,189 more than last year. While it’s still too early to know exactly what drivers will pay at the pump this Independence Day, it’s likely to be well below what drivers paid during last year’s holiday period.

The Wisconsin state average was $4.60 per gallon on July 4th, 2022. So far this summer, gas prices have been somewhat erratic, but the state average has remained below $3.60 per gallon, thanks to the lower cost of oil.

A record-setting 4.17 million Americans will fly to their destinations this Independence Day weekend. That surpasses the previous July 4th weekend air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, which was set in 2019. The share of air travelers in the overall holiday forecast this year is an impressive 8.2% - the highest percentage in nearly 20 years.

Other modes of transportation are also on the rise this year. AAA expects 3.36 million people will travel by bus, cruise, or train over the long weekend, an increase of 24% over last year. This national figure is not expected to surpass 2019 levels.

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