Flying and Driving for the Fourth of July in Florida: Best Times to Travel and Costs to Expect

Hitting the road for the long July 4 weekend? There will be a lot of Floridians out there with you.

The 2025 year of travel continues, with a record 72.2 million Americans expected to travel domestically during the July 4 week, according to AAA. That's 1.7 million more travelers (2.4%) than last year and 7 million more than 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

Nearly 4.6 million of those hardy travelers will be Floridians, up 146,000 (3%) from 2024, the auto club said.

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As usual, driving will be the most popular method, with an estimated 61.6 million drivers expected to hit the road nationwide. However, air passengers are also projected to break a record, with 5.84 million fliers expected to flock to the airports.

Part of that is due to the three-day weekend, the first long July 4 weekend in nearly a decade. AAA travel forecasts are for the week from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.

"Independence Day is one of the most popular times for travel, with Americans eager to take advantage of summer vacation opportunities," said Debbie Haas, vice president of AAA Travel in a release.

"This year, we're seeing strong demand for road trips, flights, and cruises, especially with the holiday falling on a Friday. This is allowing travelers to extend their getaways and make lasting memories with loved ones."

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Here's what to know, and the best time to hit the road.

How are Florida residents traveling for July 4?

By vehicle: 4 million, compared to 3.9 million in 2024

By air: 329,762, compared to 325,471 million in 2024

By other (bus, train, cruise, etc): 203,629, compared to 188,809 million in 2024

AAA, which responded to nearly 700,000 customers stuck on the side of the road during the holiday period last year, urges everyone to get your car in shape before you drive to address dead batteries, flat tires and empty gas tanks.

See SSSS on your boarding pass? What that means for you at the airport

Will gas prices go up for July 4 weekend?

With war brewing in the Middle East, oil prices have surged, AAA said, but it's too soon to tell if prices will stabilize before the holiday.

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"Of particular concern is Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz — a critical passageway for about 20% of global oil shipments. While the Iranian Parliament voted in favor of the move on Sunday, the country’s Supreme National Security Council has not made a final decision," AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said in an email.

Florida gas prices jumped 20 cents per gallon early last week but dropped back a bit over the weekend, Jenkins said.

Florida drivers are currently paying $3.15 per gallon, AAA said. That's almost 40 cents less than last year’s holiday.

How much are flights for the Fourth of July?

According to flight booking service Going, airfare during the Fourth of July week runs slightly higher than the rest of the summer due to the demand.

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Summer ticket prices overall are down 7% from last year as airlines struggle with reduced demands due to fluctuating trade wars, threats against Canada's sovereignty and fears over border crackdowns.

For the holiday week, domestic airfare averages 3.4% more at $585, while international flights are higher by 3.9%, averaging $1,396. Travelers can save a few bucks — and avoid crowds — if they fly on the holiday itself.

Best times to drive for July 4 week

Load up the car early, according to traffic analyst INRIX, to avoid the worst traffic. The best travel times are:

Saturday, June 28: Before 10 a.m.

Sunday, June 29: Before 11 a.m.

Monday, June 30: Before 12 p.m.

Tuesday, July 1: Before 2 p.m.

Wednesday, July 2: Before 12 p.m.

Thursday, July 3: Before 12 p.m.

Friday, July 4: Before 12 p.m.

Saturday, July 5: Before 11 a.m.

Sunday, July 6: Before 11 a.m.

Worst times to drive for July 4 week

The worst times to travel will be afternoon to early evening, AAA said, and the busiest days on the road will be Wednesday, July 2, as people head to their destinations, and Sunday, July 6, when they head home, according to INRIX.

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Saturday, June 28: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday, June 29: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday, June 30: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 1: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Wednesday, July 2: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 3: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, July 4: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 5: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 6: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Florida cities in top 10 domestic July 4 destinations

According to AAA booking data, people are heading to the Sunshine State for July 4 with three of the top 10 cities and the top destination.

Orlando

Seattle, Washington

New York, New York

Anchorage, Alaska

Fort Lauderdale

Honolulu, Hawaii

Denver, Colorado

Miami

Boston, Massachusetts

Atlanta, Georgia

Peak congestion times in major U.S. cities

Tampa/Orlando

Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from Tampa to Orlando on I-4 E at 2:30 p.m.

Returning: Friday, July 4, from Orlando to Tampa on I-4 W at 3:45 p.m.

Atlanta

Departing: Sunday, June 29, from Atlanta to Birmingham on I-20 W at 12:15 p.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Savannah to Atlanta on I-16 W at 2:30 p.m.

Boston

Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Boston to Hyannis on Route 3 S at 10:45 a.m.

Returning: Saturday, July 5, from Hyannis to Boston on Route 3 N at 11:45 a.m.

Chicago

Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from Chicago to Indianapolis on I-65 S at 6 p.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Milwaukee to Chicago on I-94 E at 2:30 p.m.

Denver

Departing: Monday, June 30, from Denver to Fort Collins on I-25 N at 1:45 p.m.

Returning: Saturday, July 5, from Fort Collins to Denver on I-25 S at 6:30 p.m.

Detroit

Departing: Thursday, July 3, from Detroit to Toronto on I-94 E at 3 p.m.

Returning: Saturday, July 5, from Grand Rapids to Detroit on I-96 E at 1:30 p.m.

Houston

Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Houston to Galveston on I-45 S at 11:15 a.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Galveston to Houston on I-45 N at 11:45 a.m.

Los Angeles

Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Los Angeles to San Diego on I-5 S at 5 p.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on I-15 S at 5 p.m.

Minneapolis

Departing: Sunday, June 29, from Minneapolis to Eau Claire on I-94 E at 2 p.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Eau Claire to Minneapolis on I-94 W at 3:45 p.m.

New York

Departing: Tuesday, July 1, from New York to Jersey Shore on Garden State Pkwy S at 4:30 p.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Albany to New York on I-87 S at 4:15 p.m.

Philadelphia

Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Philadelphia to Rehoboth Beach on I-95 & Route 13 at 10:45 a.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Poconos to Philadelphia on I-76/I-476 Pennsylvania Turnpike at 1:15 p.m.

Portland

Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from Portland to Eugene on I-5 S at 5 p.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Eugene to Portland on I-5 N at 4:45 p.m.

San Diego

Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from San Diego to Palm Springs on I-15 N at 5:45 p.m.

Returning: Saturday, July 5, from Palm Springs to San Diego on I-15 S at 3 p.m.

San Francisco

Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from San Francisco to Sacramento on I-80 E at 5:30 p.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Sacramento to San Francisco on I-80 W at 4:30 p.m.

Seattle

Departing: Wednesday, July 2, from Seattle to Ocean Shores on I-5 S at 5:45 p.m.

Returning: Sunday, July 6, from Ellensburg to Seattle on I-90 E at 430 p.m.

Washington, D.C.

Departing: Saturday, June 28, from Washington, D.C. to Annapolis on US-50 E at 1:45 p.m.

Returning: Friday, July 4, from Annapolis to Washington, D.C. on US-50 W at 11:30 a.m.

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Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flying or driving for Fourth of July in Florida? Here’s the best time to leave, what it’ll cost