AAA projects more than 1.6 million Tennesseans will travel at least 50 miles from home for the Independence Day holiday travel period, which runs from Saturday, June 27 through Sunday, July 5. Most travelers will take to the road, with more than 1.4 million Tennesseans driving to their destinations. Air travel remains steady, while cruising and other modes of transportation see the strongest growth.

While this year’s increase is modest compared to recent gains, it still sets a record for Fourth of July travel in Tennessee, as strong consumer demand continues to offset higher travel costs.

“For many families, traveling for Independence Day isn’t just a trip, it’s a tradition,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Vacations are one category where consumers are still willing to spend, even if that means cutting back on something else. With an extended holiday travel period, we expect busy roads, steady demand for flights, and continued interest in cruises across many parts of the country.”

AA projects 61.4 million people will travel by car over July 4th week, nearly the same number as last year when 61.3 million travelers took road trips. 85% of Americans traveling for Independence Day are expected to drive to their destinations.

Gas Prices: Given the recent volatility in gas prices, it’s too early to know what drivers should expect to pay at the pump. The Tennessee average is around $3.58 per gallon. Last year, the state average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.75, and the national average was $3.15 per gallon. In 2022, the national average was $4.80 on Independence Day.

By Air: More than 5.8 million travelers will take domestic flights over the July 4th week, a 0.2% increase over last year. Air travelers account for 8% of holiday travelers. According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their Independence Day trips, round-trip domestic flights to top destinations like Chicago and Denver are 5% more expensive. Domestic flights overall are averaging about $830 a ticket.