MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WCJB) – Millions of Americans were wrapping up their Fourth of July getaways Sunday, making for another busy day on the roads.
AAA said a record number of people traveled for the holiday, and rainy weather in parts of Florida added an extra challenge for drivers as some headed home.
AAA projected more than 72 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home between June 27 and July 5, setting a new Independence Day travel record.
The agency said 85% of those travelers — about 61.4 million people — chose to drive, keeping Florida’s highways busy throughout the holiday weekend.
In North-Central Florida, crowded roads became more difficult at times as periods of heavy rain reduced visibility and created slick driving conditions, giving drivers another reason to slow down.
“I try to put on the radio and try to keep focused,” traveler Rey Rodriguez said. “The worst part is around 5 o’clock when it’s raining and the sun gets hazy, so you just basically have to stay alert.”
AAA recommends drivers slow down, leave extra following distance and stay focused, especially when heavy holiday traffic combines with wet roads.
The record-breaking travel is happening despite higher gas prices compared to years prior.
AAA said Florida drivers saw an average price of $3.77 a gallon, about 54 cents higher than the state average of $3.26 during the same period in 2023.
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