Fresno County officials prepare for busy holiday travel week

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The Independence Day holiday is expected to bring in record-setting travel numbers around the country.

According to AAA, more than 71 million people will be on the move this week.

“It is busier than last year’s numbers. TSA expects that this year’s travel period for Independence Day will be 20% above last year’s numbers,” Fresno Yosemite International Airport representative Vikkie Calderon said.

The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is gearing up for a record-setting Independence Day travel week.

“Now through July 7, this coming Sunday, and on Friday, July 5, it’s expected to be the busiest days for travel through this period, so we’re expecting over 5,000 passengers to depart the Fresno airport,” Calderon said.

The airport added flights to Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago.

“It’s important to keep in mind though, it is busy, that travelers also prepare in advance by arriving at the airport at least two hours or more prior to their domestic flight departure and three hours or more prior to their international flight departure,” Calderon said.

But airports won’t be the only locations travelers will find traffic related to holiday travel this week.

“We’re going to have a lot more people traveling either to, again, to the mountains, the lakes, just trying to have a good time. There’s going to be a lot more people out there,” California Highway Patrol’s Mike Salas said.

The California Highway Patrol is also preparing to keep roads safe.

“The Highway Patrol is going to have more patrol officers out there. Last year, 2023, we arrested over 1,200 DUI drivers,” Salas said.

The CHP will be out in full force to make sure people have a safe holiday.

“The California Highway Patrol has brought back its maximum enforcement period which is going to be from July 3, Wednesday evening 6 p.m. It’s going to run all the way through Sunday at midnight on the 7,” Salas said.

Also, those who plan to do any sort of outdoor activity are encouraged to stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun.

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