This Fourth of July weekend could be one of busiest ever for travel

AAA reports more than 47.7 million Americans will travel this independence day weekend, with travel volumes coming close to pre-pandemic levels.
AAA reports more than 47.7 million Americans will travel this independence day weekend, with travel volumes coming close to pre-pandemic levels. Photo credit Getty Images/Lisa Bronitt
By , KCBS Radio

Nearly 48 million Americans are expected to travel on the road and in the air over Fourth of July weekend, according to AAA.

That's the second-highest travel volume ever over U.S. Independence Day weekend, according to the organization. It's also only 2.5% down from record-setting 2019.

KGO reported Friday that San Francisco International Airport alone is expected to have 40,000 daily travelers during the holiday weekend.

The Transportation Security Administration said it screened 2.1 million travelers last Sunday. According to the agency, that was the most in one day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the TSA expects to screen even more travelers this weekend.

Despite high gas prices across the country, AAA said over 91% of holiday travel will be by car.

"Travel is in full swing this summer, as Americans eagerly pursue travel opportunities they’ve deferred for the last year-and-a-half," Paula Twidale, AAA Travel's senior vice president, said in a release Friday. "We saw strong demand for travel around Memorial Day and the kick-off of summer, and all indications now point to a busy Independence Day to follow."

As a reminder for travelers this weekend: Federal mask mandates are still in place for airports, on planes, trains, buses and other forms of public transportation.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images/Lisa Bronitt