MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WCJB) – Millions of Americans were wrapping up their Fourth of July getaways Sunday, making for another busy day on the roads.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The agency said 85% of those travelers \u2014 about 61.4 million people \u2014 chose to drive, keeping Florida\u2019s highways busy throughout the holiday weekend.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try to put on the radio and try to keep focused,\u201d traveler Rey Rodriguez said. \u201cThe worst part is around 5 o\u2019clock when it\u2019s raining and the sun gets hazy, so you just basically have to stay alert.\u201d<\/p>\n
AAA recommends drivers slow down, leave extra following distance and stay focused, especially when heavy holiday traffic combines with wet roads.<\/p>\n
The record-breaking travel is happening despite higher gas prices compared to years prior. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n