Gas Prices Surge 27% — Yet a Record 72.2 Million Americans Will Drive This Fourth of July

Despite gasoline prices jumping 27% year-over-year to a national average of $4.03 per gallon, a record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel over the Fourth of July holiday period, according to AAA estimates. That figure tops last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers and marks a 5.3% increase from 2025. Of those, 61.4 million will hit the road by car, a slight rise from 2025, while 5.85 million will fly domestically. Airfares are averaging around $830 round-trip, up about 5% from last year, pushing more families toward road trips despite elevated fuel costs. Other travel modes are also seeing a surge, with buses, trains, and cruises expected to carry 4.93 million people — a 5.3% jump that AAA attributes to a “post-COVID cruising boom.” The busiest travel day is forecast for July 2, though congestion could peak as early as June 27 in cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. AAA advises travelers to depart early in the morning or opt for Monday or Tuesday departures to avoid the worst traffic. Gasoline prices have climbed 86 cents from 2025, with the national average now at $4.03 per gallon. Regular mid-grade, premium, diesel, and E85 prices are $4.025, $4.534, $4.912, and $5.162 per gallon respectively as of June 17. Top domestic destinations include Seattle, Orlando, Miami, New York, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and Fairbanks, while international hotspots are led by Vancouver, Rome, Dublin, Paris, and London.