Fourth of July Travel Trends: Where Americans Are Headed, What It’ll Cost, and How to Save

NEW YORK, June 24, 2025 – Fireworks won’t be the only thing soaring this Fourth of July, so will airfare. But travelers still have options, and Going, the travel app for discovering flight deals, has crunched the data to help Americans save on their Independence Day getaways.

“It’s been almost a decade since travelers have had a, ‘Fourth of July Friday,’ meaning they are likely taking full advantage of the long weekend to build out longer trips. For travelers who are planning an international getaway this year, the day-off positioning means people can strategically build a weeklong trip without burning a full work week of PTO, said Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. “Travelers be mindful, despite uncertain economic times, people are still traveling in record numbers [like Memorial Day], and historically, outside of Thanksgiving and the December Holidays, July 4th is the busiest travel holiday of the year.”
 

Red, White & Booking: Key Takeaways

Fourth of July week fares are 3.4% higher domestically ($585 avg.) and 3.9% internationally ($1,450 avg.) compared to summer averages outside the holiday week ($565 domestic / $1,396 international).* While independence day prices are up, summer travel might not be wallet-breaking. Currently average airfare overall is down 7% YoY, and down 25% from its peak in June of 2022.

Same-day travel combinations offer the lowest average fare, which is great news for travelers looking to hop on the viral “Extreme day tripping” social trend.
                            

Fourth of July is all about timing. Your departure and return dates can make a big difference, not just in price, but also to avoid crowds. Historically, the Friday before and Sunday after the holiday has seen the most travelers.

International travel interest remains high, particularly to Japan, parts of East Asia, the UK, and Europe, as reflected in almost four times the search volume compared to domestic destinations

Planned international summer travel vs. booked summer travel is at odds. Going’s Summer Travel Sentiment Survey (available upon request) shows 8 in 10 travelers plan to head out of town this summer. However, a surprising gap between intent and action for international travel shows: 62% of travelers say they plan to go abroad, but only 45% have actually booked their international trips so far.
 

8 Destinations Trending for Fourth of July Weekend

According to Flight Alert trends in the Going app, certain destinations are seeing a clear rise in popularity**:

Chicago: Absolutely no surprise why the windy city tops our travelers list for July 4th with one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the country right off Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. Prices are averaging ~$502 roundtrip*

Denver: According to our Going State of Travel report, we know travelers want to head to destinations with easy access to nature, and Denver allows for just that. Mountain top celebrations with epic firework shows happen across the Rocky Mountains a few hours from Denver. Or travelers in the know understand the real show is July 3rd. Denver’s Civic Center Park throws a free pre-Fourth bash called Indy Eve with live music and a choreographed fireworks show. Prices are averaging ~$537 roundtrip

London: Travelers heading abroad during the July 4th week are likely taking full advantage of the holiday being on a Friday. That being said, London is perfectly positioned as a gateway for exploring Western Europe, so it’s likely travelers stop in the Big Smoke for a night or two then head onwards via budget flight or train. Prices are averaging ~$1,719

San Diego: If there was one place built for the Fourth of July, it might just be San Diego. A city with strong naval ties, San Diego goes all out for the holiday hosting celebrations in most neighborhoods along the coast, as well as the largest fireworks show in Southern California called the Big Bay Boom. Prices are averaging ~$587

New York: A tradition since 1976, the Macy’s July 4th Fireworks show lights up the harbor and is visible from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens boroughs. If traveling to the Big Apple, keep your eyes peeled for the ticket lottery for a chance to win free tickets to select viewing areas in NYC. Prices are averaging ~$519

San Juan, Puerto Rico: Heading to beaches and warm weather is top of the list for some during summer, and because Americans can travel passport free to Puerto Rico, the island makes for a seamless getaway every time. For many, traveling to Puerto Rico during a holiday like July Fourth is a chance to visit family and friends living a short flight from the continental US. Prices are averaging ~$956

Seattle: Seattle’s Seafair Summer Fourth event on Lake Union is a Pacific Northwest classic event. Thousands raft up on boats, paddleboards, kayaks, and shorelines to watch fireworks burst over the water. Prices are averaging ~$587

Orlando: While visitors flock to Orlando’s world-famous theme parks for grand July 4th fireworks, locals know the real tradition is Fireworks at the Fountain at Lake Eola, a beloved celebration that’s lit up the city for over 150 years. Prices are averaging ~$550

Yes, Travelers Can Still Book A Trip 

At Going, we’re calling this the Golden Summer of Cheap Flights, and it may be one of the most affordable summers in recent memory to fly internationally. With prices softening and some close-in availability, travelers have a rare opportunity to book great fares even this late in the game for Fourth of July. Some domestic and short-haul international roundtrip flights still have last-minute deal availability, especially for those flying on the holiday itself or midweek:
 

• Washington DC to Los Angeles (catch the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego) for $215
   
• Dallas to New York for $281
   
• Miami to Chicago for $263
   
• Houston to Denver $259
   
• New York to Dublin for $422

Smart Summer Travel Tips

Book ASAP: If you find a reasonable price, don’t wait. July Fourth, outside of Thanksgiving and December holidays is the busiest travel period out of the year.

Fly on the 4th: Flights on July 4 itself tend to be cheaper and less crowded.

Stay Flexible: Shifting your departure or return by just one day can save ~20%

Use Points Wisely: With award availability up this year, it’s a great time to cash in those miles.

Track Prices: Even after booking, set a Flight Alert in the Going app and watch for drops—many airlines allow free rebooking and travel credit if fares fall.
 

*Flight Alerts created in the Going app from March 1 to May 31, 2025 for departure and return dates within June 30 to July 7, 2025

**Average prices are for the week beginning June 30, to July 6, 2025. Prices will vary within various date combinations.  

                                                       About Going

Going, the travel app for discovering flight deals, has helped members around the world make their travel dreams come true since 2015. We combine sophisticated software and human Flight Experts to discover flight deals and mistake fares up to 90% off and send them to our 2 million members. Unlike fully automated fare alerts services, every deal alert we send to members has passed a rigorous quality evaluation by our team to ensure it's worth members’ hard-earned money and limited travel time.

                                                            ###