Fourth of July travel is expected to be busy, exceeding 2023 numbers. What to know

Pack your patience and leave ahead of time as traveling for the long Fourth of July weekend is expected to be busy, exceeding 2023 travel numbers, spokespeople with AAA and the Louisville Regional Airport Authority said.

AAA predicts millions of people will travel by car, plane or other transportation methods in the nation's East South Central Region, which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, according to a news release.

"Americans are embracing the opportunity to travel over the Independence Day holiday in record-breaking numbers,” Senior vice president of AAA East Central Bevi Powell said. “Whether by car, plane, or train, we are seeing more people planning extended trips over the holiday to celebrate with family and friends.”  

According to the AAA Independence Day Forecast, 3.2 million are expected to travel by car, 162,000 are expected to travel by plane and 169,000 are expected to travel by another method of transportation including bus, train and ship, within the East South Central Region. These numbers are a 4.7% increase from last year's holiday.

Louisville Regional Airport Authority spokesperson Natalie Chaudoin said more than 44,500 departing seats are filled from July 4-8 on the different airlines that travel to and from Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Chaudoin the busiest days will be Sunday, July 7, with more than 9,600 outbound seats scheduled, and July 8, with more than 10,100 outbound seats scheduled.

The air travelers expected for 2024 is an increase from last year, but only by about 170 seats.

People traveling by car should leave in the morning, and those returning on July 8 should avoid rush hour in the morning and the afternoon. According to the release from AAA, INRIX, which provides transportation data and insights, says the worst times to drive before and on July 4 are from 2 to 7 p.m.

As for air travelers, Chaudoin said they should arrive two hours ahead of their flight to have time to park, check their bags and go through security. She also said there may be "intermittent closures of the parking lots at SDF as they are temporarily full due to the expected crowds as well."

More:Happy 4th of July! Here's where to see fireworks, celebrate in Louisville