SAN DIEGO — This Fourth of July is expected to be the busiest since 2019. Although the holiday is on Thursday, the travel period is from Friday, June 28 through Sunday, July 7.
The San Diego International Airport expects an average of 750,000 to 780,000 people to arrive and depart during the nine-day travel period. The airport said the busiest travel days are expected to be Sunday, June 30 and Sunday, July 7.
In addition to the holiday rush, expect delays from the construction at Terminal One. The airport said the least busy curbside times are from 6:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Also, make sure to give yourself plenty of time. It’s recommended to get to the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. You can save time by checking in for your flight before getting to the airport and checking the flight status and time before you leave. Plus, save time by making parking reservations in advance.
The Auto Club of Southern California said 80% of holiday Southern California travelers will be driving to their destinations. They said the busiest freeway will likely be the I-5 between Los Angeles and Bakersfield.
“We're just telling drivers to try to leave home early, before two p.m. or just wait until after six or seven p.m. so that you won't run into that heavy traffic,” Anlleyn Venegas with AAA said.
AAA said the busiest travel days on the road are expected to be July 3,4,5 and 8. Before hitting the road, they recommend to make sure your vehicle’s maintence is up to date.
“Make sure you check your tires, your batteries, make sure you have an emergency kit inside your vehicle,” Venegas said.
If you’re staying in San Diego for the Fourth, keep in mind others will join to celebrate.
“Our city is always a popular destination, not just for Southern Californians, but also for people across the country,” Venegas said.
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This year, more people are traveling and are traveling for longer. AAA said this is because people started to prioritize their vacations. Trips were put on pause during the pandemic and in the past from high gas and flight prices. AAA said people are taking longer vacations because many are able to work remotely and can do so at their destination.
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