Maryland July 4th Travel: More Drivers, Heavy Traffic, Cheaper Gas
Fourth of July Travel Expected to Surge as Marylanders Hit the Roads and Skies
Travel experts are predicting more Americans — and more Marylanders — will be on the move for the Fourth of July holiday this year, with both roadways and airports expected to be busier than in 2024.
In Maryland, travelers heading to the Eastern Shore and beach destinations should brace for potential backups. AAA estimates that 1.3 million Marylanders will drive to their destinations this holiday, a two percent increase over last year.
National and Local Travel Forecasts
AAA projects that 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period, which runs from June 28 through July 6. That figure marks a nearly two percent increase from last year’s record and is about nine percent higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
More than 1.5 million of those travelers will come from Maryland.
Some are planning ahead to avoid the rush.
“I actually took the train this time to avoid driving,” said Frank Zmuda, who traveled from New York to Baltimore to visit family. “Trying to get over the GW Bridge and down the turnpike is just a headache, and then you get here and it’s just as bad. I wanted to skip all that stress this year.”
Zmuda said his early arrival gave him peace of mind. “People who are traveling today or tomorrow — God bless you. I wish you well because I can’t imagine how bad it’s going to be,” he added.
Police Step Up Patrols
With higher traffic volumes, Maryland State Police are increasing patrols across all 23 barracks, with a focus on stopping impaired drivers.
“Driving under the influence is not just illegal, it’s reckless, selfish, and potentially fatal,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Pickett. He noted that nearly 800 people have died in Maryland crashes involving impaired drivers over the past five years.
Trooper Ashleigh Deems shared a recent reminder of the risks, recounting how a fellow trooper from the College Park barracks was struck by an impaired driver while investigating a crash last month. “Luckily he will be OK,” she said.
State Police are urging drivers to be responsible, while AAA reminds travelers to check tires, batteries, and other vehicle components before hitting the road.
Gas Prices Offer Some Relief
Travelers will find a bit of good news at the gas pump this summer. Gas prices are about 30 cents lower than they were at this time last year, according to AAA’s Andrew Dean.
“Right now we’re sitting at $3.20 per gallon, which is down four cents from last week,” Dean said. “These are the lowest prices we’ve seen heading into the holiday since 2021.”
When to Hit the Road
The transportation data firm INRIX predicts that Wednesday, July 2, and Sunday, July 6, will be the busiest days for travel, with afternoon hours expected to see the most congestion.
“Your best bet is to leave in the morning to avoid the late afternoon and early evening backups,” Dean advised.
