AAA is warning travellers to anticipate record-breaking traffic this July 4th weekend. Close to 50 million Americans are expected to travel, according to AAA projections.
Jim Lardear of AAA Mid-Atlantic says that’s unprecedented. “It’s the most travellers ever recorded by AAA for the July 4th holiday, and that even includes about 133,000 Delaware residents are going to take a trip,” he said.
That’s a nearly 4 percent increase in Delawareans travelling this year over last year, according to AAA. The travel projections for July 4, 2018 and 2016 were also unprecedented.
Lardear credits a strong economy, low unemployment, low gas prices and the fact that July 4th falls on a Thursday this year.
He says Wednesday is the day to avoid making a trip. “What we’re predicting for travel is that of all the days ... July 3 is probably going to be the worst for travel—as holiday vacationers and commuters mix on the road,” he said.
Lardear also advises travellers take advantage of online traffic cameras and check Department of Transportation websites for any construction that could create bottlenecks.
"If you do your research, and you kind of have an idea of what the best times to go are, hopefully that will give you more time at the mountains or the beach or wherever your plans take you,” he said.
