July 4 travel rush in full swing

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — Wednesday is projected to be the worst day for traffic delays as Independence Day is just around the corner.

From Saturday, June 29 through Sunday, July 7, AAA projects 70.9 million travelers heading 50 miles or more from home. That includes 60.6 million people by car and 5.74 million by air.

“Honestly, I expected it to be way crazier because they were saying it was going to be a crazy travel week, but it’s been super smooth,” Colleen McNickle said.

At Reagan National Airport, travelers were excited to celebrate Independence Day.

“Small town fireworks and stuff like that. So it should be different from D.C. fireworks but, it’ll be fun to check it out,” said Bud Harrell.

Ashley Eve has her July 4 plans set out ahead of her.

“Going to my sister’s pool then going home and snuggling my doggies who get so afraid from all the fireworks,” Eve said.

At the pump, drivers, including Natalie Lozano, was filling up for the holiday drive as she heads to Virginia Beach Thursday morning.

“I get off at 12. So I’ll go at five. Usually, we do have traffic and hopefully, like, hopefully we’ll get there by like nine-ish,” Natalie Lozano said.

Juan Lozano is staying local for the fireworks in D.C.

“Four, eight hours extra on the road is not worth it. I like to go slow but not in traffic,” Juan Lozano said.

He’s headed out of town this weekend.

“To avoid traffic I just go after the holiday so I will be traveling Saturday morning and then I will be back on Tuesday when there’s less traffic sometimes,” Lozano said.

AAA said the national average gas price is slightly lower than this time last year.

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