SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 30, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — This Fourth of July weekend is already predicted to be a record breaker with 2.5 million Mountain West residents traveling the roads and millions more taking to the air to reach their destinations.
There will be almost 11 million air travelers this holiday weekend, based off a review of scheduled seats by travel website Hopper. And, with so many people taking advantage of the long weekend, travelers should brace themselves for crowded terminals.
Hopper found the busiest airport this holiday weekend will be Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with over 600,000 passengers expected to pass through, many on their way to a final destination.
Utah air travelers are likely to fly through one of the ten busiest airports between Friday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 5. The nearby Los Angeles International Airport is projected to be the second busiest this weekend, Denver International the seventh busiest and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport the tenth most congested.
If you are scheduled to travel through one of these airports, Hopper has this advice: Friday will be the busiest day to travel, with 3.1 million seats scheduled. And although it depends on the airport, travelers can expect the longest lines around 10:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m.
On the ground, AAA Travel wants to ensure everyone stays safe during the holiday. The association is offering free sober rides and tows to keep people from driving drunk.
The AAA Tipsy Tow Program will be in effect from 6 p.m. July 4 to 6 a.m. July 5 in Utah, Northern California and Nevada, according to a AAA news release.
The company’s members and non-members alike can call 800-222-4357 to get a free tow and ride up to 10 miles.
In a news release, Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah spokesperson says, “Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way.” She added, “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver, and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”
