CA Fourth of July 2026 journey: Greatest and worst occasions to drive

Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a beach trip or a long weekend getaway, be prepared to encounter millions of travelers on California roads this Fourth of July.

With Independence Day landing on Saturday, July 4, in 2026, holiday travel is expected to reach record levels nationwide, according to AAA.

AAA released a nine-day travel forecast looking at those planning weeklong vacations as well as shorter holiday weekend trips through Sunday, July 5.

“For many Americans, traveling the week of July 4th is tradition,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA travel, said in the release. “While the overall number of Independence Day travelers appears to be plateauing, we’re still expecting record volumes this year.”

If you’re planning to hit the road during the Fourth of July in California, here’s when traffic is expected to be at its worst:

How many people are expected to travel for Independence Day 2026?

AAA said an estimated 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home through Sunday, July 5.

“This year’s domestic travel forecast surpasses last year’s record of 71.8 million travelers, but the increase is smaller than recent year-over-year gains,” AAA said in a June 17 news release.

How expensive are Fourth of July gas prices in California?

According to AAA, about “85% of Americans traveling for Independence Day are expected to drive to their destinations, despite gas prices reaching four-year highs.”

Approximately 61.4 million people are expected to travel by car during the holiday weekend.

As of Monday, June 29, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in California was about $5.46 — about $1.60 more than the national average of $3.86.

According to AAA, the cheapest gas in California could be found in Sutter County, where regular gas cost about $5.17 per gallon on average.

The highest price was in Mono County, where gas was averaging roughly $6.74 per gallon.

Drivers can check the AAA website for current fuel prices in their area.

“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,” AAA said.

How much do flights cost for Independence Day 2026?

About 5.9 million travelers will fly domestically over Independence Day weekend, making air travel about 8% of holiday trips, according to AAA.

On average, roundtrip tickets to domestic destinations are about 5% more expensive compared to Fourth of July 2025, with average fares around $830.

What are the worst days to drive for Fourth of July 2026?

According to AAA, these are the worst days and times to hit the road in California during Independence Day weekend:

• Tuesday, June 30 — 3 to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 1 — Noon to 9 p.m.
• Thursday, July 2 — 2 to 6 p.m.
• Friday, July 3 — Noon to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 4 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, July 5 — Noon to 6 p.m.

When are the best times to drive for Independence Day 2026?

AAA said these are the best days and times to drive for the Fourth of July weekend in 2026:

• Tuesday, June 30 — Before 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 1 — Before noon
• Thursday, July 2 — Before noon
• Friday, July 3 — Before 11 a.m.
• Saturday, July 4 — After 3 p.m.
• Sunday, July 5 — Before 11 a.m.

This story was initially revealed June 30, 2026 at 9:00 AM.