With the pandemic-shadowed 4th of July week in the rear-view, BTS compares holiday travel this year with that of 2019.

Americans took 2.8 billion fewer total trips during the 4th of July week this year than they did in 2019. That overall drop is supported by similar declines in the number of trips per day throughout the week. It is driven by a similar 2.8 billion drop in the number of local trips (under 50 miles) as well as the number of trips taken in each of several local trip-distance groupings. The number of long-distance trips (50 or more miles) edged up by 2.7 million from 2019 to 2020. That slight increase was driven by a 15.5 million rise in the number of trips between 100 and 250 miles, which was tempered by a 13.5 million drop in the number of trips greater than 500 miles. In 2019, on average, 19.7% of Americans stayed home each day during the holiday week; in 2020, that number rose to an average of 24.8% staying home each day.

Total Trips

Total Trips Taken Monday-Sunday During the Week of the 4th of July, 2019 and 2020	Total Trips Taken Daily Monday-Sunday Week of the 4th of July, 2019 and 2020

Trips By Distance Grouping

Average Number of Daily Long-Distance Trips, Week of the 4th of July, 2019 and 2020	Average Number of Daily Local Trips, Week of the 4th of July, 2019 and 2020

People Staying Home

Average Daily Percent of People Staying Home, Week of the 4th of July, 2019 and 2020	Map of Average Daily Percent of People Staying Home, Week of 4th of July 2020

Source:

Data prepared for the Bureau of Transportation Statistics by the Maryland Transportation Institute and Center for Advanced Transportation Technology Laboratory at the University of Maryland from a mobile device data panel from merged multiple data sources. Numbers are subject to change.

Notes:

These data are experimental and may not meet all of our quality standards.  Experimental data products are created using new data sources or methodologies that benefit data users in the absence of other relevant products. We are seeking feedback from data users and stakeholders on the quality and usefulness of these new products. Experimental data products that meet our quality standards and demonstrate sufficient user demand may enter regular production if resources permit.

To explore further, including access to National, State, and County-level data, please visit our Daily Travel page.