More than 690,000 Kansans among 72.2 million Americans expected to travel
WICHITA, Kan. – June 23, 2026 – From sea to shining sea―and from Leavenworth to Liberal―AAA is projecting strong travel volume for the upcoming Independence Day holiday, despite higher costs.
“Travelers are gearing up for a busy Fourth of July travel period across the Sunflower State and nationwide,” said Shawn Steward, Kansas public affairs manager for AAA Club Alliance. “Despite higher gas prices, hotel costs and air fares this year having some impact on travel, we still expect hundreds of thousands of Kansans to take a mid-summer getaway.”
AAA urges those taking a road trip to make sure their vehicle is road-ready before the journey. Last summer, AAA Emergency Roadside Service crews responded to more than 2,800 calls for assistance during the Independence Day holiday in Kansas alone – more than 687,000 nationwide. Drivers are reminded to be sure their vehicle is up to date on regular maintenance. Have all key vehicle systems and components, including the battery, checked by a qualified technician, and check tire pressure and tread. “Flat tires and dead batteries are among the most common problems that interrupt summer road trips,” Steward added.
Here’s a quick look at some of the numbers, trends and tips from AAA for Independence Day 2026:
- 690,715 – Number of Kansans projected to travel 50 miles or more from home for the Independence Day holiday travel period (June 27 – July 5), an increase of 0.1% from 2025.
- 83.6% – Percentage of Kansas travelers who will drive to their Independence Day holiday destination. The 577,581 road trippers represent a 0.8% decrease from last year.
- 26,795 – Number of Kansans who will take to the skies. This is a slight decrease (-1.7%) compared to last year.
- 2.8% – Percentage of Kansas travelers 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 0.5% increase compared to 2025.
- 85.1% – Percentage of travelers nationwide who will drive to their Independence Day destinations. The 61.4 million road travelers across the country represents a 0.2% increase over 2025.
- 8.1% – Percentage of travelers nationwide who will fly. The 5.85 million people taking to the skies represents a 0.2% increase over 2024.
- 4.93 million – Number of travelers nationwide who will travel by cruise, train, bus or other mode of transportation over the Fourth of July holiday, a 5.3% increase over 2025.
“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 to avoid problems moving through security.”
Road Travel Trends, Tips and Safety Reminders
- $3.61 – Kansas average cost per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, as of 6/22/26, about 70 cents higher than the average one year ago.
- $3.92 – National average gas price (As of 6/22/26)
(Source: https://gasprices.aaa.com/?
- 662 – Number of speeding citations issued by the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) during the 2025 Independence Day travel period, July 3-6.
- 25 – Number of DUI arrests by the KHP during the 2025 Independence Day travel period
- 20 – Number of fatalities from vehicle crashes in Kansas during the Independence Day holiday period 2020-2024, with 7 of those deaths alcohol-related.
- 2,407 – Total number of vehicle crashes in Kansas over the Independence Day holiday travel period from 2020 to 2024, with 884 injuries resulting from those crashes.
With a wide majority of travelers – about 84% – going by car, AAA is reminding Kansans to follow the key safety rules of the road: Always stay sober behind the wheel, stick to the speed limit, avoid distracted driving, and remember to have everyone properly buckled up in a seatbelt or child passenger seat. Additionally, drivers should follow the law in all 50 states by moving over and/or slowing down whenever they encounter flashing emergency responder lights or a stalled vehicle with flashing hazard lights along the roadside.
AAA’s Top Independence Day Destinations
The top U.S. holiday destinations listed below are based on AAA booking data for the Independence Day travel period. Cruises (especially to Alaska), beaches, and big cities with plenty of fireworks and activities are popular this year.
Travel Cost Trends
- 1% – Increase in the average cost, $830, of domestic flights over the Independence Day travel period compared to 2025.
- 16% – Decrease in the cost of international flights over the Fourth of July holiday compared to 2025, now averaging $1,150.
- 25% – Increase in price of domestic hotels this Independence Day compared to last year.
- 10% – Increase in the cost of a domestic car rental, with an average booking cost (typically several days) of $870 total.
- 27% – Increase in the cost of cruises departing from domestic cities compared to Independence Day 2025, with an average cost of $2,400.
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.
