By Mike Finney

DOVER — Even a soaring average gas price of $4.79 per gallon in Delaware is not enough to deter travelers from loading up their vehicles and heading to beach resort areas and other destinations to celebrate Independence Day weekend.

“Independence Day is coming and I’m celebrating independence from my apartment this weekend,” said Philadelphia’s Tonya Johnson with a laugh, as she filled up her gas tank at a convenience store in Dover on Wednesday. “It’s just nice to be able to get outside and enjoy some time having a barbecue with friends and family.”

Officials from the Delaware Department of Transportation and AAA are anticipating a near-record number of travelers to be hitting the roads in Delaware from today until next Tuesday.
It appears as if a COVID-fatigued public and a three-day weekend have people revved up and ready to get outside to enjoy the beaches, cookouts and, of course, fireworks displays.

“We are expecting heavy traffic volumes this weekend,” said Charles “C.R.” McLeod, director of community relations for the Delaware Department of Transportation. “The fact that the (Fourth of July) falls on a Monday, creating a three-day weekend for many, is also an incentive to travel.”

Officials from AAA Mid-Atlantic are also predicting a hectic weekend of traffic throughout the area.

AAA is projecting that more than 116,000 Philadelphia-area residents will travel a distance of 50 miles or more over the Independence Day Weekend — up more than 3% over last year. While the large majority will be driving to their destinations, air travel and travel by other modes of transportation are both up significantly compared to last year.
Nearly 90% of travelers — or more than 101,000 Delawareans — will be hitting the road for the holiday, despite record gas prices.

AAA anticipates the worst times to be on the roads in Delaware will be today from 2 until 8 p.m., Friday from noon until 9 p.m. and Saturday from 2 until 4 p.m.

The best times to travel through the First State, according to AAA, will be before 7 a.m. and after 8 p.m. today, before 10 a.m. and after 9 p.m. Friday, and before noon and after 7 p.m. Saturday. Low congestion is expected all day Sunday and Monday.

Travel will be up by plane, train or automobile

AAA officials said that while the increase in auto travel is notable given the pain at the pump, a sharp jump in air travel and travel by other modes of transportation suggests gas prices may be motivating some travelers to consider alternatives to driving.

“The volume of travelers we expect to see over Independence Day is a definite sign that summer travel is kicking into high gear,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “The roads will be as crowded as they have ever been over the Independence Day holiday, but airports, train stations and bus depots will also be extremely busy, so travelers should plan accordingly.”

She noted that air travel is up slightly (just more than 1%) over Independence Day weekend last year, with AAA projecting that nearly 11,000 Delawareans will take to the skies.

Travel by other modes of transportation, which was slowest to recover from the pandemic, is up almost 168% over last year, with more than 4,000 Delawareans taking a train or bus, or cruising to their holiday destinations.

Mr. McLeod said he expects the trend of increased traffic during Memorial Day weekend in May will continue into the Fourth of July.

“Memorial Day weekend saw a 3% increase over 2021 volume at the I-95 toll plaza at the Maryland state line, and a 6% increase over 2021 at the Dover toll plaza, so we are certainly expecting traffic volumes at or above pre-pandemic levels for the Fourth of July,” he said.

“Gas prices certainly do not seem to be deterring travel, though we are seeing increased ridership on public transportation around the state, especially our Beach Bus routes.”

Mr. McLeod pointed out that DART will have additional buses running this weekend before and after Sunday night’s fireworks display in Rehoboth Beach. It is only $2 to ride one way and parking is free at DART’s Park and Ride locations in Rehoboth and Lewes.

Most road construction throughout Delaware will come to a temporary halt this weekend.

“Construction requiring lane closures will pause over the course of the holiday weekend, however, anyone traveling north should use I-495 as a detour route as I-95 through Wilmington continues to maintain its reduced travel lanes as part of the ongoing Restore the Corridor project,” Mr. McLeod said.

The Delaware Department of Transportation anticipates that many travelers will be hitting the roads as early as today and it expects the heaviest volumes Friday in Sussex County, as many travelers head to the Delaware beaches, along with delays on I-295 and I-95 for interstate traffic in the northern part of the state passing through Delaware.

“Heavy traffic volumes are expected to continue into early next week with many travelers likely using Tuesday as a post-holiday travel day,” said Mr. McLeod. “Adding extra time to get to a destination is advised, and also a reminder for travelers to secure cargo loads such as bikes, rooftop carriers and trailers to prevent unintended hazards and that all blinker and brake lights are in working order.”

Delaware’s increase matches that of the nation

The increase in the number of Delawareans traveling over the Independence Day holiday mirrors national projections.
From June 30 to July 4, AAA said nearly 48 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, an increase of 4% over last year.

Most of those traveling — more than 42 million — will be hitting the road.

Nationally, AAA is anticipating that more than 3 million people will be flying to their destinations, an increase of 4% over last year.

The most significant increase over last year is the number of holiday travelers going by train, bus or cruise line — more than 2.4 million, which is an increase of 168% over last year.

“Whether you will be driving, flying or taking some other mode of transportation over the holiday weekend, planning ahead, especially for delays, is key to ensuring your best travel experience,” Ms. Tidwell said.

The Delaware Department of Transportation is hoping travelers drive steady and safe on the way to their destinations.

“There have now been 75 fatalities to date on Delaware roads, an increase of 40% over the same time last year,” Mr. McLeod said. “We want everyone to reach their destinations safely and ask all motorists to buckle up, slow down, drive sober and drive attentively.

“There will be many pedestrians and bicyclists out, as well, and need everyone to put safety first this holiday weekend.”