America 250: 72.2M people expected to travel for July 4th

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk at WSB-TV (ABC) - News · July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

If you’re planning on hitting the road for the Independence Day holiday, you won’t be alone. Read more trending newsAAA predicted that 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from their homes this year, from now until July 5, surpassing last year’s record of 71.8 million. While it is...

Why this matters in The Atlanta

As Atlanta residents prepare for the Independence Day holiday, they can expect crowded roads and busy airports. With 61.4 million people predicted to travel by car, local highways such as those surrounding Atlanta will likely see a significant increase in traffic. While Atlanta is not among the top domestic destinations listed by AAA, its location as a major transportation hub means that many travelers will be passing through the city's airport, potentially causing delays. Additionally, the fact that Orlando and Miami are among the top domestic destinations may lead to increased traffic on highways connecting Atlanta to these cities. Atlantans planning to stay in town for the holiday can still expect to see an impact from the increased travel, with potential delays and congestion on local roads.

About this story

Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News. The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 2, 2026 · Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News · Reading time: 1 min

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