CONNECTICUT, USA — More than 839,000 Connecticut residents are expected to travel 50 or more miles from home over the Fourth of July holiday this week, an increase of 5.2% compared to 2023, according to AAA.
The federation of motor clubs also predicts that over 3.5 million New Englanders will travel for the holiday, up 5.1% from last year and surpassing the record total of 3.1 million seen in 2019. When making projections, AAA evaluated the entire Independence Day week, including the Saturday before and Sunday after the holiday.
Tracy Noble, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Connecticut and New Jersey, shared several travel tips on Tuesday during an interview with FOX61.
“We’re expecting the entire week to be busy, so for those that are heading out say Monday, July 1 even through Monday, July 8 for the return, those midday time periods are going to be the most congested. So, for this holiday travel period, if you are an early bird or a night owl, that is going to serve you very well. If you can leave off peak, that is the best thing to do,” Noble said.
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Across Connecticut, AAA expects that about 731,000 people will drive to their destination, an increase of 4.8% over last year. In New England, AAA projects that over 3 million people will drive to their destination, up 4.8% from last year, setting a record high. While the weekends will likely be most congested, Noble expects that the entire week will be busy, especially on routes that lead to the ocean.
“We are expecting the weekends to be heavily travelled, but then we’ve got people who are maybe taking a few days before the holiday, not necessarily the whole week, or a few days after and extending their long weekend. So, it’s going to be congested, and of course, those routes to the beaches are going to be very heavily traveled,” Noble said.
AAA projects that a record of 60.6 million people will travel by car nationally throughout the week, more than 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. The number would also exceed 2019’s total of 55.3 million people traveling by car during the week of July 4.
Fortunately, gas prices are trending favorably and should continue to decrease leading up to the holiday week. Noble explained.
“Surprisingly, gas prices are actually declining,” she said. “In Connecticut, today’s gas price average is $3.54 per gallon. That’s down 12 cents in the last month, and it’s 10 cents cheaper than we were a year ago. It’s not too bad, and if we have a mild hurricane season, hopefully things remain stable through Labor Day.”
Noble also addressed the price of air travel and hotels. She said it all depends on what one is looking for. The number of air travelers could set a record, according to AAA.
In Connecticut, more than 65,000 people are expected to fly to their holiday destination, up 6.5% from last year.
Across New England, AAA said that a record high 274,000 will travel by air for the holiday, an increase of 6.5% compared to last year. Hotel prices remain the same on average, but like gas prices, plane tickets are cheaper than a year ago.
“Hotel prices are, on average, steady to what they were last year. However, air prices are actually down compared to where they were (in 2023), so those who are going to be flying to their destinations are actually paying about $800 cheaper than they were a year ago. And we are expecting the airports to be very busy as well,” Noble said.
AAA said more than 4.6 million people nationally will travel by other means of transportation such as buses, cruises and trains, a 9% increase compared to last year but shy of 2019’s total of 4.79 million. In Connecticut, other modes of transportation are up almost 8% compared to last year, as 44,000 travelers will go by bus, cruise, train or a combination of those.
Noble said that renting a vehicle could be a solid option for those who have lengthy drives planned.
“Rental demand has rebounded from the challenges that we saw during the pandemic when the fleets were not available. Even if you had a reservation, sometimes people could not get their car,” Noble said. “That’s no longer the case. So, it depends on what kind of shape your car is in and if your car can comfortably move your entire family to their destination without any issues. So, you really need to evaluate what you’ve got going on in your own driveway before making that decision.”
As Connecticut residents plan to travel for the holiday, AAA shared several suggestions and safety tips. First, make sure car seats fit before hitting the road. Also, double check your car seat installation.
Drivers should also secure loose items in the car and be prepared for the unexpected – pack an emergency kit with first-aid supplies, snacks, water, blankets, jumper cables and flares and keep your phone fully charged.
Mapping your route is also recommended, as is making frequent and longer stops along the way for families with children. Bringing entertainment is also a good idea – make sure devices are fully charged before leaving home, and travelers should bring mobile chargers if they have them.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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