Record Number of Travelers Expected for Fourth of July Weekend

Nearly 1.5 million Marylanders were projected to travel for the nine days surrounding the Independence Day holiday, marking a record number of travelers since the pandemic. TSA officials reported that three of the busiest days in TSA history occurred during this time period, indicating a significant surge in air travel demand. Travelers at BWI Airport noted that while lines were busy, the overall experience was manageable and not overly stressful. However, road congestion was a different story, with travelers experiencing heavier traffic than usual.

AAA predicted that nearly 90% of travelers would opt for car travel, a 4% increase from the previous year and more than 8% higher than in 2019. Transportation experts advised drivers to start their journeys early to avoid rush hour traffic and suggested that return trips on Sunday or Monday should be planned outside of peak afternoon hours. The holiday season saw a significant uptick in travel across various modes of transportation, highlighting a strong desire for summer getaways among the public.