Travel Smarter: Quick and Easy Travel Tips for July 4th Weekend

As Independence Day approaches, many of us are packing our bags and hitting the road.  Whether you’re planning a picnic at Grandma’s or a long weekend at the beach, we have some quick and easy travel tips for July 4^th!

Plan Wisely – Plan Ahead

With 43.2 million people expected to hit the road, planning ahead is key.  Book your hotels as early as possible and remember that many “points reservations” are blacked out for the holiday.  Attractions like theme parks and water parks will most likely be operating at maximum capacity, so locking down tickets early is a must.

On the Road

Think about when you want to travel as well.  Since July 4^th falls on a Tuesday this year, June 30^th, and July 5^th are projected to be the busiest highway travel days.  Perhaps venturing out on Sunday, July 1^st is a less chaotic option.

Make the most of travel apps like Waze and Google Maps to plan your route.  Factor in construction work, detours, and heavy traffic as you plan.

And on the bright side, car rental prices are averaging $47 per day (almost 25% less than in 2022.)  Book your rentals now to secure the best prices!

In the Air

Airports are anticipating more than 24 million passengers will take to the skies between June 29^th and July 5^th.  They’re heading for the typical hot spots like New York City, Los Angeles, and Orlando so expect the major connection points to be hotbeds of humanity.

If possible, try to avoid major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Dallas/Fort Worth International.  If you must fly through one of the big guys, avoid the busiest travel days (June 29^th and 30^th.)

Pro Tip! Download the MyTSA app ahead of your trip to get a handle on wait times, delays, cancellations, security checkpoints, and more.  It’s a great way to stay ahead of the travel crush.

Again – the bright spot in all of this is that flight prices are dropping.  Domestic tickets are roughly $100 cheaper than last year!

Make Your Memberships Count

Regardless of how you get where you’re going, be sure to make the most of your memberships in travel clubs like America the Beautiful Pass Series, Good Sam, and AAA.

While each has benefits that are unique to its brand, most offer deep discounts or rewards on hotels, attractions, rentals, dining, and more.

Most of us already have at least one of these club cards floating around in our wallets – time to brush off the dust and make our memberships count!

Have a “Blast”!

Your holiday travels can be a blast if you plan ahead and make the most of your resources.  These quick and easy travel tips for July 4th will help you travel smarter and make your trip memorable!

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