July 4 travel survival guide: What road trippers and flyers should know
The number of Illinois residents making an escape this historical July Fourth holiday is up while gas prices are down compared to the Memorial Day break, AAA reports.
A gallon of regular gas averaged $4.18 in the metro region as of Tuesday, an improvement from $5.14 just before Memorial Day weekend but a far stretch from $3.65 a year ago.
“While gas prices have been easing recently, they remain higher than this time last year, and many travelers locked in their Fourth of July plans before the latest drop at the pump,” AAA’s Molly Hart said.
“For many families, Independence Day travel is a tradition, so instead of canceling plans, they’re finding ways to make the trip work: taking shorter getaways, staying closer to home, choosing less expensive hotels, dining more casually and cutting back on extras like souvenirs.”
The sky-high May gas prices caused an unusual year-to-year dip in Memorial Day road trips in 2026.
But as the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, AAA predicts nearly 4.3 million Illinoisans will journey 50 miles or more from home over Independence Day, an increase from 4.27 million last year.
Here’s a look at the cheapest gas, busiest airport times, and when the most traffic is expected on the Illinois tollway.
Midwest pump prices
Where can Midwesterners find bargain fuel? Indiana takes the honors, averaging $3.18 a gallon, followed by Iowa at $3.48; Missouri at $3.50; Minnesota at $3.62; Wisconsin at $3.64; and Michigan at $4.08, AAA reports.
Meanwhile, Illinois has the seventh highest gas in the U.S., averaging $4.12.
Nationwide, it’s the second week in a row that costs have remained below $4 a gallon.
Crude oil prices continue to decline as the U.S. and Iran pursue talks to end their conflict, AAA reported. But a record 72.2 Americans taking trips this week, most of them driving, could cause a demand-related adjustment.
The Illinois tollway projects 8.3 million vehicles will travel on its system between Thursday and Monday. On Thursday, 2 million cars and trucks will hit the road in contrast with the daily average of 1.7 million.
Crowded airports
United Airlines predicts Thursday will be the busiest day of the week, with more than 85,000 customers surging through O’Hare International Airport, a 17% spike from 2025.
Sunday comes in second with 78,000 passengers expected.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration announced it will screen nearly 18.7 million people at security checkpoints between June 30 and Monday, with events like the semiquincentennial and FIFA World Cup increasing travel. The TSA estimates the largest crowds will occur Thursday.
Popular destinations
The top domestic destinations ranked in order: Seattle; Orlando, Florida; Anchorage, Alaska; Miami; New York City; Chicago; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Fairbanks, Alaska; Denver; and Boston, AAA found.
Twilight bag drop
To really get a jump on lines, United is offering a “twilight bag drop” for select flights departing from O’Hare between 5 and 9 a.m.
The service lets passengers check luggage the day before between 6 and 9 p.m. from the Terminal 1 departures level.
“Fly through the airport in the morning without stressing about bag drop, just head straight to security,” United officials said.