Washington state has top July 4 travel destination in US, AAA reports
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A new report from AAA predicts that a record number of Americans will travel over the July 4 holiday, and it reveals that a city in Washington state is a top destination for domestic travelers.
The automobile association projects that 72.2 million people will travel 50 miles or more over the Independence Day period from June 28 to July 6. That’s 1.7 million more travelers compared to 2024 and 7 million more compared to 2019, according to the report.
The increase is bolstered by “strong demand” for car and plane trips during the holiday week, Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in the report. July 4 falling on a Friday is also a factor, as travelers can take advantage of the extended weekend, Barber said.
Here’s what to know.
Which Washington city ranks as a top July 4 travel destination?
According to AAA booking data, Seattle is one of the top 10 destinations in the U.S. for the Independence Day travel period, the report said.
Other top cities include:
- Orlando, Florida
- New York, New York
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Denver, Colorado
- Miami, Florida
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Atlanta, Georgia
“Cruises, beaches, and fireworks are the main motivators for travelers heading to these cities,” the report states. “Alaska cruises are in peak season, Florida and Hawaii are in high demand for their resorts and attractions, and New York and Boston host two of the most popular fireworks shows in the nation.”
In 2024, Seattle and King County welcomed a total of 40 million visitors, representing a 5.3% increase from 2023, according to Visit Seattle, a nonprofit tourism marketing organization. Visitor spending totaled $8.8 billion, according to the organization’s 2024 data.
What is the price of gas in Washington state?
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Washington was $4.451 on June 26, according to AAA Fuel Prices. The national average was $3.22.
The state’s gas tax will increase by 6 cents per gallon on July 1, from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents per gallon, the Washington State Standard reported.
What’s happening in Washington on July 4?
There are multiple ways to celebrate Independence Day in the Seattle area and throughout Washington, including fireworks displays, live music, parades, and ball games. Here’s a selection of events:
Bremerton
Port Orchard
Kingston
Seattle
Vancouver area
Spokane
Walla Walla
Read more about what’s happening in Kitsap here.
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