Record travelers hit LA region for the 4th. We have busiest drive times

A record 5.4 million people in Southern California are expected to travel over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to Auto Club of Southern California.

And the busiest days? AAA spokesperson Gianella Ghiglino said count on the 4th, 5th and 8th. Nearly 80% of those travelers are expected to hit the road, while 14% will fly and 6% will take a bus, train or cruise, according to AAA.

Heading into SoCal

AAA also expects that most of the traffic in Southern California will be heading for destinations like San Diego, Las Vegas, the central coast and the region’s national parks.

The number of Southern Californians traveling for the July 4 is expected to be more than 5% higher than last year.

Heading out of L.A.

In terms of travel out of Los Angeles, AAA expects the afternoons and evenings of July 4 and 5 to be the busiest.

As to return travel, the organization predicts the afternoon of July 8 will be the most congested. AAA is expecting the drive on the 5 Freeway between Bakersfield and L.A. to take nearly 2 hours on Monday afternoon, some 40 more minutes than on regular travel days.

Be prepared for this heat wave

Another factor to account for is the region’s heatwave. Ghiglino recommends drivers pack extra water, snacks, and an emergency roadside kit for the longer car rides.

Here are other tips from AAA on traveling on the road this Fourth of July weekend:

• Hit the road during the morning hours before noon to avoid peak traffic hours. 

• Be sure to check your car before hitting the road, as the high heat can also affect the way it operates, including the battery and tires. 

Check the trends

Be sure to check all the traffic and mapping apps to take the least busy routes before leaving on your journey, but check the AAA website for the latest trends, which can vary by day of the week.