Increase In July 4 Travelers Predicted In VA: See Best, Worst Travel Times

Northern Virginia residents can expect busier roads and airports during the extended Independence Day holiday weekend.

AAA is predicting that 2.1 million Virginians will travel 50 miles or more during the July 4 travel period. That represents a 2 percent increase from the 2.08 million recorded during last year's holiday.

Across the U.S., AAA is predicting 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles, up from 70.5 million in 2024 and above the pre-pandemic level of 65.2 million recorded in 2019. The travel forecast represents the Independence Day holiday period from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.

"While economic uncertainties continue to be on the minds of many Americans, those concerns do not seem to be hindering travel," said Morgan Dean, the AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson in Virginia. "Americans are continuing to make travel a priority and Independence Day is no exception."

The majority of the travelers reflected in AAA's prediction for Virginia will travel by car. The 1.88 million expected to hit the roads would be a 2 percent increase from 1.85 million last year. For those renting vehicles, AAA's car rental partner Hertz expects July 3 to be the busiest day for vehicle pick-ups.

• Related: When To Cross MD Bay Bridge On July 4 Weekend 2025

Travelers will see relief at the gas pump during the Independence Day holiday. According to AAA, summer gas prices are at the lowest level since 2021, as crude oil prices have kept costs down. The average price in Virginia is $3.13, up from $2.97 a month ago but below $3.33 a year ago. Northern Virginia's average is $3.22, up from $3.04 a month ago and below $3.44 last year.

AAA anticipates 147,122 Virginians to travel by plane, which would be similar to 2024. TSA expects to screen more than 18.5 million passengers nationwide from Tuesday, July 1 to Monday, July 7. The busiest day at airports, with about 2.9 million travelers, is predicted on Sunday, July 6.

AAA says the average roundtrip domestic flight price of $810 is 4 percent more expensive than last year's holiday. Travelers seeking last-minute flights should look to weekdays like Tuesday and Wednesday for the best prices.

Travel by other methods of transportation like buses, cruises and trains could increase from 86,599 to 91,565 in Virginia. AAA says the popularity of cruises drives the predicted number.

Best, Worst Times to Travel

According to transportation analyst INRIX, Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6 could be the busiest travel days on the roads. Afternoon hours could be the most congested, which is why the analyst recommends driving in the morning to avoid the worst traffic. However, crashes, construction and severe weather could still cause delays.

The best and worst travel times by day are:

• Monday, June 30: Worst time from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., best time before 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 1: Worst time from 3 p.m .to 6 p.m., best time before 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 2: Worst time from 12 p.m. to. 9 p.m., best time before 12 p.m.
• Thursday, July 3: Worst time from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., best time before 12 p.m.
• Friday, July 4: Worst time from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., best time before 12 p.m.
• Saturday, July 5: Worst time from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., best time before 11 a.m.
• Sunday, July 6: Worst time from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., best time before 11 a.m.

The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to suspend most highway work zones and lift temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Thursday, July 3 to noon on Monday, July 7.

While VDOT did not predict when the worst times for traffic congestion will be this July 4 holiday, it has a travel trends map with historical information on major roadways. Drivers can check real-time traffic information by calling 511 within Virginia or visiting 511.vdot.virginia.gov.

Travelers headed to Virginia Beach and North Carolina's Outer Banks are encouraged to use the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel as an alternative to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel during construction.

For those traveling to the beaches on Maryland's Bay Bridge, the Maryland Transportation Authority is expecting heavy traffic volumes from Wednesday, July 2, through Monday, July 7

The best times to travel on the Bay Bridge, according to MDTA, are:

Eastbound

• Wednesday, July 2: before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Thursday, July 3: before 7 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Friday, July 4: before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Saturday, July 5: before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Sunday, July 6: before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Monday, July 7: before 12 p.m. and after 7 p.m.

Westbound

• Wednesday, July 2: before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Thursday, July 3: before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Friday, July 4: before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Saturday, July 5: before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Sunday, July 6: before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Monday, July 7: before 6 a.m. and after 4 p.m.