The Automobile Club of Southern California projects 5.48 million Southern Californians will travel at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day between Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, July 5.

This year’s Southern California travel forecast is up 0.5% over 2025 and 8% higher than 2019 before the pandemic. The number of local residents driving and flying to their destinations is relatively flat compared to last year, while travel by other modes, including cruises, buses and trains, is seeing the biggest year-over-year increase.

Busy roadways

The Auto Club projects 4.33 million Southern Californians will travel by car over July 4th week, up 0.1% from last year and 7.4% higher than 2019. Auto travel continues to make up the overwhelming majority of Independence Day trips, despite gas prices reaching four-year highs nationally. For many families, filling up the tank for a road trip remains less expensive than purchasing plane tickets.

Busy airports

The Auto Club projects 763,000 Southern Californians will fly to their destinations during the Independence Day holiday period, which is 1.2% higher than the number of air travelers last year and 17.1% higher than 2019. Nationally, AAA expects 5.85 million travelers to take domestic flights over July 4th week, a 0.2% increase over last year.

Busy cruise ports, buses and trains

Travel by other modes is seeing the strongest year-over-year growth in Southern California. The Auto Club projects 380,000 Southern Californians will travel by bus, train or cruise over Independence Day week, up 4.6% compared to last year. (Source: AAA SoCal)

Story Date: July 6, 2026