From the highways to the airports, the countdown to an unprecedented Fourth of July travel rush is on. And it comes on the heels of a week that’s seen flight delays and cancellations piling up.

This Independence Day travel period may be the busiest on record and a continuation of what we’ve seen since the summer season began. The early weeks of summer 2023 have brought the largest crowds in years, even larger than 2019 numbers. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration has seen some of the busiest days in its 22-year history.

And the congestion won’t just affect air travelers. AAA is projecting 50.7 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day this year, more than in any year past.

“What this tells us is that despite inventory being limited and some prices 50% higher, consumers are not cutting back on travel this summer,” Paula Twidale, AAA senior vice president of travel, said in a statement.

Here are some things to keep in mind whether you have flights booked, the car packed or are mulling last-minute plans.

Plan for busy roads

As usual, a majority of Fourth of July travelers are driving.

Friday, June 30 is expected to be the busiest day on the road, AAA says, with average travel times projected to be up about 30% compared with a normal day.

Boston, Seattle and Washington, D.C., are expected to see the worst traffic, according to transportation data provider INRIX.

There's one piece of good news, though, whether you’re driving straight from home or renting a car at your destination: Gas prices are down significantly from this time last year. The national average for a gallon of regular, unleaded gas is $3.56 as of June 27.