The July Fourth holiday brings millions of travelers to airports and roadways nationwide. In 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 24 million passengers traveling through the nation’s airports between June 30 and July 9 — the Friday before the holiday through the Sunday following.
Industry experts project similar figures this year. A recent Bank of America survey suggests a massive volume of summer travel approaches. Of those surveyed, 70% of respondents intend to travel this summer.
Families choose to travel over the July Fourth holiday for numerous factors, like time off from work and school. This commonality equates to heavy crowds at airports and final destinations, from national parks to theme parks.
While dealing with some unavoidable traffic, experts point to simple solutions that keep holiday travel plans manageable. Remedies for encountering peak summer crowds include strategically picking optimal flight times and carving out additional time for rest while on vacation.
Travel at Off-Peak Times
July fourth falls on a Thursday this year, meaning travelers will doubly encounter crowds the weekend before and after the holiday. Avoiding the most popular travel dates, like Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, lessens the impact felt by crowds.
TSA reports from 2023 reveal the Friday before the Fourth of July holiday to be one of the top 10 busiest days to travel. Coming home, the Sunday following July fourth brought a heavy volume of passengers through airports.
TSA’s numbers show July fourth as the slowest travel day for that week in 2023. If the actual holiday doesn’t play a role in vacation itineraries, use it as a travel date. Research which destinations offer July fourth activities throughout the week — not just on the holiday — to enjoy festivities and quieter airports.
Sarah Gilliland, founder of On the Road with Sarah, notes, “If you can plan your trip to end the day before a holiday or leave on the holiday, you’re more likely to avoid crowds or traffic returning home.” In addition to choosing better dates, selecting less popular flight times eases the burden of holiday travel. Early morning travel means setting extra-early alarms, but, as the saying goes, “the early bird gets the worm.”
Alexandra Caspero, founder of Delish Knowledge, says choosing flights at off-peak times can boost savings. She advises, “For weekend trips, look into late-night or early-morning flights that can often be half the price as the same flight a few hours earlier or later. If you plan to drive, roads are usually less crowded early in the morning.”
If travelers cannot avoid off-peak travel, embracing the busy summer season can manage expectations. Gilliland reminds travelers, “If you can only vacation when everyone else can, do not stress about long lines or busy destinations. Instead, focus on what you can do and enjoy that will help your vacation be enjoyable instead of one big headache.”
Schedule Time for Relaxation
No matter where the July fourth celebrations occur, travelers must prepare for heavy crowds and hot temperatures. Families flocking to America’s most popular vacation destinations necessitates planning and prioritizing time for rest and relaxation.
Monica Fish, a frequent traveler and founder of Planner at Heart, advises families traveling during any busy vacation season to prepare accordingly. Examine what days of the week bring about larger crowds. For her family, “We often enjoy the pool and hotel during the weekend and visit crowded attractions on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday when the crowds are smaller.”
As far as theme parks, experts advise looking for creative ways to escape crowds. Lindsay Brookshier, content director of Mickey Visit, recommends, “For Disney and Universal trips, make dining reservations in advance so you know you’ll have the opportunity to relax.”
Brookshier adds, “Consider building in time at the hotel and pool to escape any crowds.” Including days with fewer planned activities adds incredible value to a bustling holiday vacation. Fish agrees, “Having unscheduled days helps keep it fun and prevents everyone from tiring out.” Thinking outside of the box when considering ways to avoid crowds will lead to moments of calm during an otherwise busy Fourth of July holiday.
