Fireworks, beach days and cookouts make July Fourth one of the most fun weekends of the year -- even with the record-setting heat wave coming our way. To me, this upcoming weekend is the peak of the summer season. This year, though, many travelers are planning with extra factors in mind: higher costs and more travelers than ever before. 

AAA projects that 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between June 27 and July 5, with an estimated 61.4 million expected to drive to reach their destinations. With inflated gas and ticket prices, you may be wondering how to keep costs down. Below, I'll break down some important travel stats and tips, so you can make the most of your holiday weekend. 

Gas prices vs. the rest of your travel bills

Between filling up the tank and paying for lodging and airfare, you may feel like girding your loins and guarding your wallet this year.

For drivers, gas will be the major factor, as prices have reached four-year highs of more than $4 a gallon. Gas prices have been surging this year, beginning in March, in connection with the Iran War. Due to the conflict, oil shipping routes and crude oil supplies have been drastically restricted, leading to higher rates at the gas pump. For context, the average gallon of regular gas was just under $3 in the US before the Iran War began in late February. 

AAA points out that although gasoline has gotten more expensive, filling up during a road trip can still be cheaper for many families than flying, especially when you're traveling with kids or a group and can split the gas costs.

Meanwhile, air travel is also not getting easier as AAA forecasts that 5.85 million Americans will fly over the holiday week (only a 0.2% increase over last year), and domestic flights are averaging around $830 per ticket. AAA says round-trip domestic flights to top destinations are about 5% more expensive than last year at this time, based on booking data. 

Car rentals are expected to be roughly 10% more expensive than last year during this holiday week, according to AAA, with Thursday, July 2, slated to be the busiest pickup day. That means driving your own car might still be more economical than flying and renting a vehicle. 

Don't forget charging costs for EV drivers

For electric vehicle owners, the holiday math is different... but it's still math. 

AAA reports the national average cost of electricity at public EV charging stations is 41 cents per kilowatt-hour, as of June 18, 2026. So while EV charging may not fluctuate as drastically as gasoline, the trip budget still depends on how often you stop, how fast you charge and what you can reliably access along the way.

The way to get the most savings from an EV is to charge at home, but you can't always do that if you're road-tripping. Still, at 41 cents per kilowatt-hour, charging at public stations is likely cheaper per mile than paying for gas in an internal-combustion vehicle. 

Traffic check

Even if you manage costs well, getting stuck in traffic can turn an affordable plan into an exhausting one. That means planning your routes and ETAs will be incredibly important. 

AAA expects the busiest days to be this Thursday, July 2, Friday, July 3, and Sunday, July 5, with the most congested hours on the road between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on average.  

That makes Saturday, July 4, the lighter day overall, but AAA still expects a spike in traffic from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as people head to their plans. 

How to make the trip easier and save money

• Leave earlier than you think you need to: Timing matters. AAA's forecast suggests that if you can avoid the late afternoon peak, you'll likely spend less time idling in traffic and more time enjoying your destination and holiday plans.
• Make a quick "road-trip readiness" check before you pull out: AAA reports that 687,000 roadside assistance calls were made during the July Fourth weekend last year. A pretrip inspection can reduce common problems like dead batteries and flat tires, which can blow up schedules and add unexpected costs.
• If you're flying, build flexibility into your dates: Weekdays tend to be less expensive to fly, and choosing basic economy, booking airport parking in advance and bringing your own meals can help you save.
• Plan for safety before you plan for speed: AAA encourages drivers to commit to safety initiatives like "100 Days of Safe Driving" to prevent accidents and "Slow Down, Move Over" when approaching stopped vehicles on the roadside because delays, breakdowns and roadside workers can appear anywhere and anytime during a holiday rush.

More Americans are expected to travel this July Fourth week than last year, but that trip will likely be more expensive, especially without proper planning. Americans are still choosing to plan trips despite higher costs, and the road is the more popular option. 

For many travelers, smart timing, basic vehicle preparation and a flexible plan for flights (or charging stops) can make the difference between a trip that drains your budget and one that is so seamless that you will only remember the fun and fireworks.