AAA expects almost 2 million New Jersey residents to travel 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday, an increase of 0.3% over 2025. Nationally, AAA projects 72.2 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period from Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, July 5. The number of travelers driving and flying to their destinations is relatively flat compared to last year, while travel by other modes, including cruises, is the category seeing the biggest increase both nationally and in New Jersey.

“Independence Day remains one of the most popular travel holidays of the year, and despite economic uncertainties and higher travel costs, nearly 2 million New Jersey residents are planning a getaway,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “Whether travelers are heading to the shore, visiting family and friends, or taking a long-awaited vacation, the desire to make memories and celebrate the holiday continues to drive strong travel demand.”

2026 Projected Independence Day Holiday Travelers – New Jersey

By Car:Across the Garden State, 1.63 million people will drive to their destination, a decrease of 0.4% over 2025, marking the first decrease in auto travel since 2019. Nationally, AAA projects 61.4 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week up 0.2% compared to last year. Despite higher gas prices, filling up the tank during a road trip is still cheaper than purchasing flights for many travelers, especially for families with kids. Driving remains the preferred mode of travel for 82% of New Jersey travelers and 85% nationally.

The second weekend of the holiday period will be the busiest on the roads, starting Thursday, July 2. Drivers looking to avoid the heaviest traffic should leave early in the day or consider traveling on Monday or Tuesday.

“With road trips accounting for more than eight out of every ten holiday journeys, travelers should expect heavier traffic, especially during the second weekend of the holiday period,” Noble said. “Before hitting the road, motorists should have their vehicles inspected, pack an emergency kit, and plan ahead for delays. A little preparation can help ensure a safer and less stressful holiday trip.”

AAA recommends getting routine vehicle maintenance ahead of your trip and packing an emergency kit. Last year over the July 4th holiday, AAA responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls nationally and over 21,000 in New Jersey with almost 11,000 cars needing to be towed.  

By Air:

AAA projects 5.85 million people will fly to their July 4th destinations. That’s a slight increase of 0.2% compared to last year and makes up about 8% of all holiday travelers. In New Jersey, over 189,000 will fly to their holiday destination, an increase of 1.2% compared to last year.