According to a AAA survey, a record number of drivers will be on the road over the Fourth of July travel weekend in America.
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What meteorologists are saying about the weather in Boston for Fourth of July
According to AAA, this Fourth of July weekend will see 61.6 million car trips, the most ever and a 2.2 percent rise over the previous year. Road trippers are predicted to increase by 1.3 million during the 2025 Independence Day holiday period compared to 2024.
Because of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, one of the most well-liked fireworks displays in the country, Boston is a top Fourth of July destination in the United States this year, according to AAA.
According to a statement from Jonathan Gulliver, highway administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Fourth of July weekend is one of the most crowded travel periods of the summer. To ensure that everyone has a great holiday weekend, MassDOT advises travelers to prepare ahead of time, anticipate delays, and drive carefully.
On July 5, traffic on Route 3 N from Hyannis to Boston will be particularly difficult, according to transportation data firm INRIX.
Travelers should avoid mid-day and afternoon travel on Friday, when peak congestion is anticipated, as MassDOT predicts that Wednesday and Thursday will see the most traffic, with delays lasting into the evening. The early and afternoon hours of Saturday and Sunday will see more traffic for road travelers.
According to INRIX, the worst times to drive are Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday from noon to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m.; Friday from midday to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For those who are trying to plan their travels more carefully. According to INRIX, the optimal times to drive are Tuesday before 2:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before noon; and Saturday and Sunday before 11:00 a.m.
According to MassDOT, the I-93 Boston-Quincy High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane will open early before the vacation, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and 1 p.m. on Thursday. On Friday, July 4, the HOV lane and the swing lane for the Sumner Tunnel will not be in use.
To monitor live cameras, travel schedules, and traffic conditions in real time, travelers can visit www.mass511.com or download the Mass511 mobile app. Users can sign up to get email and text alerts. To hear real-time road and traffic conditions, drivers can also dial 511 and choose a route, or they can follow @MassDOTon X.
Kristi Palma writes about New England tourism as a culture reporter for Boston.com. She writes about hotels, airlines, and activities in Boston and New England. She is the writer of the weekly travel newsletter Scenic Six.
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