KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI) — A record number of Tennesseans are expected to travel this Independence Day holiday period, and AAA warns drivers to plan ahead for heavy traffic across the state.
AAA projects 1.61 million Tennesseans will travel at least 50 miles from home between June 27 and July 5, marking a new Fourth of July travel record despite rising costs. The vast majority — 1.47 million people — will travel by car, while nearly 72,000 will fly and more than 76,000 will use other modes like buses, trains, or cruises.
🚗 Roads Will Be Crowded
With 85% of travelers driving, highways across Tennessee are expected to be especially congested — particularly during the second half of the holiday period.
Traffic data company INRIX says the busiest travel stretch begins Thursday, July 2, leading into the holiday weekend, with afternoon and evening hours seeing the most delays.
⏱️ Best and Worst Times to Drive in Tennessee
Drivers can avoid the worst congestion by following AAA and INRIX guidance:
Worst travel times (generally):
- Midday through early evening (12 PM – 7 PM)
- Peak gridlock expected:
- Wednesday, July 1: Noon – 9 PM
- Friday, July 3: Noon – 7 PM
- Sunday, July 5: Noon – 6 PM
Best travel times:
- Early mornings before late morning or midday
- Ideal departure windows:
- Before 10 AM to Noon most days
- After 3 PM on July 4th
AAA recommends traveling early in the day or earlier in the week to avoid the worst backups.
✈️ Air Travel Holding Steady
Air travel remains steady this year, with about 71,974 Tennesseans flying, a slight decrease from last year. Nationally, more than 5.8 million Americans are expected to take flights, with average domestic tickets around $830.
🇺🇸 Nationwide Travel Near Record High
Across the U.S., AAA forecasts 72.2 million travelers, a slight increase over last year and another all-time high for the holiday.
Despite higher prices, strong demand continues to drive travel as families prioritize traditional holiday trips.
⚠️ Safety Reminder
AAA is urging drivers to:
- Avoid impaired driving
- Check vehicles before long trips
- Allow extra time on the roads
- Follow “Move Over” laws for roadside emergencies
Last year alone, AAA responded to more than 687,000 roadside calls during the Independence Day period.
