KANSAS CITY - AAA is projecting strong travel volume for the upcoming Independence Day holiday. Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA Kansas spoke with KNSS News on Steve and Ted in the Morning.
"Travelers are gearing up for a busy Fourth of July travel period across the Sunflower State. 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 Kansans will travel 50 miles or more from home (June 28 - July 6), an increase of 2% from 2024.
- 84.5% of Kansas travelers will drive to their Independence Day holiday destination. The 585,209 road trippers represent a 1.2% increase from last year.
- 26,735 Kansans will take to the skies. This is a slight decrease (-0.6%) compared to last year.
- 2.7% of Kansans will opt to travel by train, bus, cruise and other modes of transportation for the Fourth of July holiday period.
“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.”
AAA 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)
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.
