AUSTIN, Texas —
Many people and families will travel for the Fourth of July weekend. AAA expects the number of Texans traveling by car and in the air to be the highest on record.
The data suggests nearly 4 million Texans will travel 50 miles or more this weekend. Travelers can expect traffic on the roads and the airports to be packed.
AAA said the worst times to hit the road will be Thursday during the evening rush and most of the day Friday.
AAA Spokesperson Daniel Armbruster said about 85% of the people traveling this weekend will be driving. He told travelers to try and avoid big metropolitan areas during peak travel times, like rush hour.
So, try to leave before noon if you're leaving Thursday, and try to leave before 10 a.m. if you're leaving Friday.
Before you get on the road, AAA said to make sure your car is ready. The organization estimates it will have to come to the rescue of more than 20,000 drivers this holiday weekend.
"The top reasons for that dead battery's flat tires, engine trouble. So if you're getting ready to go on a road trip like many Texans are, make sure your vehicle is ready. The last thing you want to do is have a roadside emergency in the heat that we're experiencing right now," Armbruster said.
Sunday and Monday are expected to be light travel days, with the holiday on Tuesday. But Wednesday could be the busiest return travel day.
Now, that's just the roads. Nearly 400,000 people are expected to fly this weekend.
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is already busy in the summer, but staff are expecting things to get even busier this weekend.
AAA said air travel is seeing large growth this year, despite ticket prices being over 40% to 50% higher to many of the top destinations.
Elizabeth Ferrer, a spokesperson for the Austin airport, said people traveling this weekend should try to get to the airport a minimum of two and a half hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international.
She said that's not just because of what can happen with the ticket counter or getting through TSA, but also because of all the different types of travelers who will be going through the airport this weekend.
There may be families traveling with young children, or older people who are not used to flying. There may also be people carrying more luggage than usual, and that can slow things down as well.
"It adds the congestion inside the terminal, both on the ticket counter side and on the secure side, because people will be moving slower. And all of that to say we are all asking for patience with each other because it's going to be a little bit challenging to get through the airport on busy days," Ferrer said.
Travelers should also make sure to follow TSA guidelines for packing carry-on bags because anything that's not supposed to be in there will hold up the line. Check liquids, and don't keep anything that can be considered a weapon, including guns, knives and even pots and pans.
Another issues people can face is parking. Ferrer said lots have been filling up all summer, so check to make sure there is space before going. Try to reserve a spot if possible, or get dropped off.