CA July 4 traffic: AAA predicts record-breaking travel in the US

This Fourth of July might be more than just any ordinary holiday. It could be record-breaking.

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More than 5.6 million Californian residents are expected to travel this weekend, according to a recent AAA news release.

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Since gas prices remain significantly lower compared to last year, AAA anticipates that this holiday will set new records for both road and air travel.

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Here’s what you can expect:

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Why are more people traveling this year?

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John Treanor, a AAA spokesperson, said the company usually puts out travel forecasts for Fourth of July and Memorial Day, which are the busiest travel weekends of the summer.

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Last year, Treanor said AAA saw high travel numbers, because the state was coming out of pandemic restrictions.

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“This post-pandemic hunger is fueling people with this rush to travel,” Treanor said.

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What should you know before hitting the road?

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Treanor said California residents should look out for traffic hotspots, including Disneyland, Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area.

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“The busiest times on the roadways are going to be between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday. That’s going to be the busiest travel day,” Treanor said.

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Instead of leaving early from work or after work, Treanor said people should leave early Saturday to avoid traffic.

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If you do happen to encounter traffic, Treanor said to try and avoid exploring new routes. Stay on a familiar route to avoid getting lost.

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“What we really recommend though is getting your car inspected ahead of time,” Treanor said. “There are going to be close to 400,000 travelers requesting roadside assistance this weekend.”