Stars, Stripes & Summer Getaways: AAA Forecasts Busy Roadways Across Kansas, Nation for July 4th Holiday

More than 692,000 Kansans among 72.2 million Americans expected to travel

WICHITA, Kan. ― From sea to shining sea―and from Overland Park to Goodland―AAA is projecting strong travel volume for the upcoming Independence Day holiday.

“Travelers are gearing up for a busy Fourth of July travel period across the Sunflower State,” said Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA Kansas. “With a wide majority of travelers going by car, AAA is reminding Kansans to follow the rules of the road, always stay sober behind the wheel, be courteous to other road users and remember to buckle up―everyone, every time, every trip―before heading down the road.”

AAA is also reminding drivers not to be distracted. “Phones should be set to ‘do not disturb,’” reminded Steward. “Set the navigation, climate control and infotainment controls before leaving the driveway. Instead of going through a fast-food drive-through, take a break from the roadway and go inside the restaurant to eat. Not only will that cut down on driving fatigue, but it will also keep food and beverage from becoming a distraction.”

Last summer, AAA Emergency Roadside Service crews responded to nearly 21,000 calls for assistance in Kansas alone. Drivers are reminded to be sure their vehicle is up to date on regular maintenance or bring it to a AAA-approved car care center before hitting the road. Get the battery checked by a qualified technician and check tire pressure and tread. “Tires and batteries are some of the most common problems that interrupt summer travel,” Steward added.

Here’s a quick look at some of the numbers, trends and tips from AAA for Independence Day 2025:

• 692,151 – Number of Kansans who will travel 50 miles or more from home for the Independence Day holiday travel period (June 28 – July 6), an increase of 2% from 2024.
• 84.5% – Percentage of Kansas travelers who will drive to their Independence Day holiday destination. The 585,209 road trippers represent a 1.2% increase from last year.
• 26,735 – Number of Kansans who will take to the skies. This is a slight decrease (-0.6%) compared to last year.
• 2.7% – Percentage of Kansans opting to travel by train, bus, cruise and other modes of transportation for the Fourth of July holiday period.
• 72.2 million – Number of travelers nationwide AAA projects will travel during the Independence Day holiday travel period, a 2.4% increase compared to 2024.
• 85.3% – Percentage of travelers nationwide who will drive to their Independence Day destinations. The 61.6 million travelers across the country represents a 2.2% increase over 2024.
• 8.1% – Percentage of travelers nationwide who will fly. The 5.84 million taking to the skies represent a 1.3% increase over 2024.
• 4.78 million – Number of travelers nationwide who will travel by cruise, train, bus or other mode of transportation over the Fourth of July holiday, a 7.2% increase over 2024.

Independence Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation

“While a majority of Kansans are traveling by car, airports will be busy as well. Those planning to take to the skies should download the airline’s app ahead of time so they can stay on top of any flight or gate changes,” Steward said. “Get to the airport in plenty of time ahead of your boarding time. Expect airport security lines to be longer over the Fourth of July travel period. And, don’t forget your Real ID-compliant form of identification, most often a Real ID or passport, to avoid problems moving through security.”

Road Travel Trends, Tips and Safety Reminders

• 11th – Ranking of Kansas in the lowest average gas prices in the nation. (As of 6/24/25)
• $2.92 – Kansas average cost per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, as of 6/24/25, about 12 cents less than the average one year ago.
• $3.22 – National average gas price (As of 6/24/25)

            (Source: https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=KS)

• 1,085 – Number of speeding citations issued by the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) during the 2024 Independence Day travel period, July 3-7.
• 16 – Number of DUI arrests by the KHP during the 2024 Independence Day travel period, July 3-7.
• 30 – Number of fatalities from vehicle crashes in Kansas during the Independence Day holiday period 2019-2023, with 11 of those deaths alcohol-related.
• 2,077 – Total number of vehicle crashes in Kansas over the Independence Day holiday travel period from 2019 to 2023, with 793 injuries resulting from those crashes.

“In addition to avoiding distractions, drivers should pack their patience,” Steward reminded. “There’s no place for aggression behind the wheel. Keep anger in check. If you see another driver being discourteous, don’t take matters into your own hands. It’s not your job to correct the driving behaviors of others. Save the fireworks for the community celebration.”

Best/Worst Times to Drive

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6 to be the busiest days on the road. Afternoon hours will be the most congested. Drivers should hit the road in the morning to avoid the worst traffic, but keep in mind construction, crashes, or severe weather could impact travel times. Watch for stopped vehicles and Slow Down, Move Over for emergency responders.

AAA’s Top Independence Day Destinations

The top holiday destinations listed below are based on AAA booking data for the Independence Day travel period. Cruises, beaches, and fireworks are the main motivators for travelers heading to these cities. Alaska cruises are in peak season, Florida and Hawaii are in high demand for their resorts and attractions, and New York and Boston host two of the most popular fireworks shows in the nation. Internationally, Vancouver tops the list, followed by Europe’s most in-demand cities during the summer.

Travel Cost Trends

• 4% – Increase in the average cost, $810, of domestic flights over the Independence Day travel period compared to 2024.
• 4% – Decrease in the cost of international flights over the Fourth of July holiday compared to 2024, now averaging $1,365.
• 11% – Decrease in price of domestic hotels this Independence Day compared to last year, at an average cost of $590.
• 8% – Increase in the price of international hotels this Independence Day compared to last year, at an average booking cost of $785 for a few night’s stay.
• 2% – Decrease in the cost of a domestic car rental, with an average booking cost (typically several days) of $670 total.
• 40% – Increase in the cost of cruises departing from domestic cities compared to Independence Day 2024, with an average cost of $2,065.

About AAA

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 65.2 million members nationwide and almost 350,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.