If you’re one of the 41 million folks traveling by car over the July 4th holiday. expect to face up to four times the ‘normal’ road delays in the Greater New York and Greater Boston areas on Wednesday.
Infographic from AAA
Travel numbers
— an announcement from the American Automobile Association and AAA Northeast
Highways and byways are expected to be extremely congested the day before Independence Day between 2 and 4 p.m. in the New York area; and between 10 a.m. and 12 noon in the Boston area, reports Global Mobility Analytics Company INRIX, in collaboration with AAA. New York’s worst travel day will be Wednesday; Boston’s, Friday.
“With record-level travelers hitting the road this holiday, be prepared for these delays on Wednesday, which is expected to be the worst time to be on roads,” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman.
Infographic from AAA
Nationwide statistics. Note how much travel has increased from 2000, or even 2010 — roughly 60% higher.
Overall 49 million people are making a July 4th getaway this year, a record high, according to the AAA.
Of those, 85% — 41 million — are traveling on the roads, the most on record for this holiday.
Image from AAA
Where and when congestion will be worse
The remaining 15% will either fly to their destination or take some other mode of transportation including trains, buses, or cruises.
“Most of these folks will be traveling 50 miles or more from their home base and most likely will leave during these times,” she said. “Others, who are traveling greater distances by car, most likely started their vacations this past weekend.
Image from AAA
Traffic is NOT expected to be so bad that fireworks displays will be held over highways so that stuck travelers will at least be able to see them. Consider this an artistic mishmash from AAA. (Although you can see Bridgeport fireworks from the highway on whatever night the display takes place.)
Gas Prices: Higher Here, Lower Elsewhere
Congestion isn’t the only element on the increase this holiday: gas prices are climbing because a massive Philadelphia refinery — the largest on the East Coast — is offline. A fire last week stopped production at a Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ facility.
Today, a gallon of self-serve, regular gas in Connecticut averages $2.86, 3 cents higher than this time last week. Compared to last year, prices are 22 cents lower. On the national level, a gallon averages $2.72, 6 cents higher than last week. Compared to last year, prices are 13 cents lower.