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Record Fourth of July travel rush begins
AAA projects a record-breaking holiday weekend with millions traveling. Driving remains the top choice, with Arizona gas prices finally averaging under $4 once again.
PHOENIX - The countdown to the Fourth of July is officially on as a record-breaking number of Americans prepare to pack the nation's highways and airports for the holiday weekend.
What we know:
According to projections from AAA, an unprecedented 72.2 million people are traveling this week, kicking off what is expected to be one of the busiest holiday rushes in recent history. With 85% of those travelers planning to drive, the massive surge is putting a spotlight on gas prices, infrastructure and airline reliability during a peak summer travel window.
Arizona is among the top destinations feeling the influx, drawing visitors eager to celebrate despite the summer heat. Travelers arriving in Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area reported packed flights and crowded roads, though many maintained high spirits.
Consumer sentiment
For motorists, however, the excitement is paired with anxiety at the pump. Arizona's average gas price currently stands at $3.97 a gallon. While that is a steep 73-cent increase from this time last year, it offers some relief from the near-$5 average seen over Memorial Day weekend.
Record Memorial Day crowds hit the road despite four-year-high gas prices in Arizona
An estimated 973,000 Arizona residents are traveling for Memorial Day weekend despite gas prices averaging $4.80 per gallon. AAA reports high prices are not stopping record road trips.
Drivers have noted the recent fluctuations with a mix of relief and resignation. One motorist remarked that while it feels "crazy" to be happy about gas prices hovering just under $4, it is a welcome dip from the spikes seen over the last month. Others noted that filling up larger vehicles like SUVs still costs around $100 per trip, a financial hit they hope to forget once the holiday relaxation begins.
Dig deeper:
The travel headaches are not limited to the highways. Airports are also facing heavy strain, with some Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport flyers already reporting missed connections and forced overnight hotel stays due to sudden flight delays.
What you can do:
To mitigate the stress of the holiday rush, transportation officials and AAA are advising both motorists and airline passengers to build extra time into their schedules. For those still planning to hit the road, AAA recommends traveling before 11 a.m. on Friday, or waiting until after 3 p.m. on the Fourth of July to avoid the worst of the highway congestion.
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from AAA and interviews with Phoenix travelers.