Record air travel expected this July 4th holiday in Oklahoma

 

AAA projects 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day weekend*, setting a record for the holiday. It includes a nearly 4% increase in Oklahoma including a record number of air travelers.

The share of air travelers in the overall holiday forecast this year is an impressive 8.2% – the highest percentage in nearly 20 years. In Oklahoma, over 48,000 will fly to their holiday destination, an increase of 11% compared to last year and the highest number on record.

Domestic travel over the long weekend will increase by 2.1 million people compared to 2022. This year’s projection surpasses the previous July 4th weekend record set in 2019 of 49 million travelers.

In Oklahoma, AAA predicts over 470,000 residents will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday weekend (June 30 – July 4). This is an increase of 3.8% over 2022 and the highest number of travelers since 2019.

“The volume of travelers we expect to see over Independence Day is a definite sign that summer travel is kicking into high gear,” said Rylie Mansuetti, spokesperson for AAA Oklahoma. “What this tells us is that despite inventory being limited and some prices 50% higher, consumers are not cutting back on travel this summer. Many of them heeded our advice and booked early, another sign of strong travel demand.”

Across the Sooner State, nearly 402,000 people (85%) will drive to their destination, an increase of 2.4% over 2022. Nationally, this July 4th weekend is expected to set a new record for the number of Americans traveling by car for the holiday. AAA expects 43.2 million people will drive to their destinations, an increase of 2.4% over 2022 and 4% higher than 2019.

This summer, gas prices are well below what they were one year ago. The national average for a gallon of regular was $4.80 on July 4th, 2022. Gas prices have remained steady the past couple of months, with the national average hovering around $3.50 to $3.60 a gallon, thanks to the lower cost of oil.

Air travel is also expected to set a record both nationally and in Oklahoma. AAA projects 4.17 million Americans will fly to their destinations Independence Day weekend, an increase of 11.2% over 2022 and 6.6% over 2019. The previous July 4th weekend air travel record of 3.91 million travelers was set in 2019.

Other modes of transportation are also on the rise this year. AAA expects 3.36 million people will travel by bus, cruise, or train over the long weekend, an increase of 24% over last year. While more travelers are turning to these modes this year, the number is not expected to surpass 2019’s total of 3.54 million. In Oklahoma, other modes of transportation is up almost 16% compared to last year as over 20,000 travelers go by bus, cruise, train or a combination of modes.

2023 Projected Independence Day Holiday Travelers – Oklahoma

 

NUMBER OF TRAVELERS Total Population 2023 Travelers Percent of population traveling Percent change vs. 2022
Oklahoma TOTAL

Auto, Air & Other

4,019,800* 470,317 11.7% +3.8%
Oklahoma Auto 85.5% of people travel by car 401,980 10.0% +2.4%
Oklahoma Air 10.2% of people travel by air 48,238 1.2% +11.3%
Oklahoma Other

(train, bus, cruise, etc.)

4.3% of people travel by other modes 20,099 0.5% +15.9%
         
National TOTAL 335.3 million* 50.7 million 15.1% +4.3%
National Auto

 

85.2% of people travel by car 43.2 million 12.9% +2.4%
National Air

 

8.2% of people travel by air 4.17 million 1.2% +11.2%
National Other

(train, bus, cruise, etc.)

6.6% of people travel by other modes 3.36 million 1.0% +23.7%

“With record-breaking travelers expected on the road this holiday weekend, drivers should prepare for above-average delays to their favorite destinations,” Mansuetti added. “Using traffic apps and local DOT notifications are key to minimizing holiday travel traffic frustrations this Independence Day.”