Some 72 million people are expected to be out traveling this 4th of July, with 62 million by car. That's according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. This is Don Rush. Meanwhile, 1.5 million Marylanders are expected to be traveling, with 1.3 of them hitting the road. We talked with Morgan Dean with AAA Mid-Atlantic.
“So we know there's a lot of economic uncertainty out there that has been the story of this year. But what we're hearing from people is they are prioritizing travel. They want to make sure they get that trip in, even if they have to cut in some other areas, and even if they have to cut along the way, maybe it's not that big seafood restaurant they love to staff out on the road. Maybe it's something a little bit cheaper, but they're going to make sure that they get in that holiday. Another thing that we've seen this year that's just kind of popped up on our trends too, instead of some people doing the big week long trips that were so popular right as we came out of COVID, a lot of people are separating and dropping out that PTO over the summer and doing some long weekends here and there. So there's still something to look at down the road and to look forward to. So a little bit of a trend that we're seeing this year. The great thing about the holiday falling on a Friday this year is it gives some people the opportunity to travel for a whole week and save one of those PTO days with the holiday at the end of the week there. And for others, it's a three or four day weekend where they can get out to the shore, get to one of the lakes, do something else,” Dean said.
So what are we looking at here on the shore, particularly when it comes to those bridges?
“Well, that's the reminder to folks. It's going to be very, very busy on those roadways. We are looking at Wednesday as being one of the busy days of the week, and then again on Sunday as everybody is returning after the holiday. Those are the days you really need to be concerned about those traffic backups. Our best suggestion for drivers: leave in those morning time periods so they can avoid some of the worst of the backup. If you want to stay later, say on Sunday and enjoy some of the day out on the shore or on the bay, maybe wait until after dark and then do some of that driving home, we tend to see the traffic really build up in that late afternoon, early evening time period on Wednesday and Sunday. So those are the worst times to be on the road, so early in the day or later at night. Now, if you don't like driving at night, that nighttime driving probably not a good place for you. So maybe that early morning, that big cup of coffee, and then hitting the road with the sun in the morning”, he advised.
So what should people be thinking about in terms of getting their car ready to get out on the road?
“Well, we have really been challenged by some of this extreme heat here recently being under the heat dome. If you've had any kind of issue with your vehicle that you've noticed in the heat, really get it looked at before you put the vehicle on the road for a couple hours, batteries can really get diminished and the heat takes a toll on batteries. Extreme cold and extreme heat, batteries just don't like them. If your car's slow to turn over, get that battery looked at. Three to five years is about the lifetime of a battery. If it's going on you, get a new one because you don't want to be stranded. The other things you take a look at, how are your tires? If those tires are underinflated, that's more of that rubber hitting against that really, really hot pavement that puts you at a potential for a blowout. So check those tires, get them pumped up to the right pressure. Then go over your engine. Maybe it's with your mechanic. Check those hoses, check those belts. Just make sure everything's running under there and make sure that AC is pumping out some good cold air before you hit the road”, said Dean.
Morgan Dean with AAA Mid-Atlantic on traveling this 4th of July holiday. This is Don Rush for Delmarva Public Media.
