4th of July travel expected to break records

SAN JOSE, Calif. ( KRON ) — Nearly 71 million people are set to travel at least 50 miles from home this Fourth of July. With roads packed, the California Highway Patrol plans to be out in full force patrolling.

Travel is up by 5 percent compared to last year, and up 8 percent compared to 2019, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). In total, 70.9 million people will be moving around, with 60.6 million moving by car and 5.7 million moving by air.

San Francisco is at the top of the list when it comes to car rental pickups. Wednesday, July 3, is the busiest day, so roads and gas stations will be packed.

The average price of gas in California is currently $4.79 per gallon, which is more than a dollar higher than the national average of $3.51.

The most expensive place to gas up in the Bay Area is Sonoma County, coming in at an average of $5.04, according to AAA. Santa Clara County has the lowest price in the Bay Area, coming in at an average of $4.80.

If you are heading out on Wednesday or Thursday, the best time to leave is before noon. The worst time to leave is between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday. On the weekend, traveling before 10 a.m. is the best time, with Sunday having the worst time between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

CHP has announced plans to be out in full force between 6 p.m. on July 4 and midnight on Sunday.

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