July 4 travel: Best and worst times to hit the road and runways in Denver
The big picture: More than 72 million people across the U.S. are expected to travel 50+ miles during the Independence Day stretch from June 28 through Sunday, per AAA data.
That's up 1.7 million from last year, and 7 million more than pre-pandemic 2019.
State of play: Denver ranks among the top 10 most in-demand cities for summer travel, AAA data shows.
It's also in the top five for car rentals alongside Boston; Oahu, Hawai'i; Seattle; and Orlando, Florida.
🚗 Vroom in: With over 61 million drivers anticipated — the most on record for the holiday — these are the best/worst times to drive.
Worst days: Wednesday (noon-9pm) and Sunday (noon-6pm).
Worst times: Afternoons — congestion peaks.
Best bet: Leave in the morning (ideally before 11am).
The intrigue: The best time to return to Denver on Interstate 25 south is 6:30pm on Saturday, per AAA.
✈️ Take-off tips: Denver International Airport expects more than 900,000 passengers to move through its security checkpoints by next Monday — on par with last year. The busiest day is likely Sunday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Are Target, Walmart open on the 4th of July? See what's closed in California
Fourth of July celebrations often mean last-minute errands, from purchasing hot dogs to grill and festive clothes for photos. And if you get the holiday off from work, you may hope to schedule some appointments with the newfound free time. But like any federal holiday comes store closures and special hours. Here's what to know before you step out this Independence Day in California, although many companies suggest checking with your Visalia-area store this holiday. Fourth of July fireworks: Looking for a fireworks show? Here's when, where they are happening Walmart stores only close on Thanksgiving and Christmas, so they will also be open with regular hours on the Fourth of July. Target will be open throughout the Fourth of July weekend; however, hours of operation may vary by location, so please check your local store's hours before visiting. Costco will be closed on July 4. Trader Joe's stores are open until 5 p.m. on the Fourth of July, the company announced. Aldi said that its stores operate limited hours on the Fourth of July, so be sure to check with your local store before you go. The fast food chain recommends checking with your local store for special hours. Banks are generally closed on the Fourth of July, including branches of Chase and Wells Fargo. Some banking services may be available, such as self-service ATM tellers for withdrawals or deposits, the Arizona Republic reported. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are closed on the holiday. All California Department of Motor Vehicles offices are closed on the Fourth of July, according to their holiday schedule. U.S. Post Offices will be closed on the Fourth of July, and there will be no regular mail service. UPS store locations may be closed, so it's recommended that you check your local store for their hours of operation. There will be no UPS pickup or delivery service on the Fourth of July, according to UPS. IKEA said that special holiday hours are posted to store-specific pages on their website, so check with your local store for the most up-to-date information. USA TODAY Network reporter Samantha Neely contributed to this story. Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@ This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What stores are open on Independence Day in California? Costco, UPS, more
USA Today
16 hours ago
- USA Today
When are Disney July 4 fireworks? Where to see epic shows at Florida theme parks.
The Fourth of July is here, with Florida expecting to see a surge of travelers looking to take advantage of the holiday for a quick trip. If they're visiting Florida, there's probably a theme park on the itinerary. AAA projects 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday alone, with Orlando being one of the top destinations. Who wouldn't want to grab a patriotic treat while in the "happiest place on earth," or catch a themed fireworks display steps away from Diagon Alley? Here's what five of Florida's theme parks are planning for the Fourth of July holiday. What day is July 4th, 2025? The July 4 holiday falls on a Friday this year. It is one of the 11 federal holidays in the U.S. Walt Disney World Resorts Two of Disney World's theme parks will host nighttime fireworks shows: Spaceship Earth will be illuminated in red, white and blue at night on July 4. Additionally, DJ entertainment will occur throughout the night at Magic Kingdom on July 3 and 4 in Frontierland, near Cinderella Castle and Tomorrowland. Celebrate the USA's 250th birthday aboard this once-in-a-lifetime patriotic cruise Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando will celebrate the Fourth of July with special entertainment at its theme park and Universal CityWalk. According to officials, the event features live music, themed performers, a DJ, character meet-and-greets, and an in-park nighttime pyrotechnics display within Universal Studios. The celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. in CityWalk and 5:15 p.m. in Universal Studios, where guests can also enjoy attractions and entertainment, including CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular. SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorld Orlando will hold its Fourth of July fireworks display on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, as announced on its website. It adds that the fireworks are synchronized to patriotic music. "Enjoy a firework & drone show spectacular on SeaWorld's large central lake with inspiring music synced to beautiful fireworks in celebration of America. View from areas like Bayside Stadium or find a spot along the water," its website states. Legoland Orlando LEGOLAND Florida is bringing back its "Red, White & Boom" party for July 4 through July 5, with star-spangled activities, DJ Dance parties, and a fireworks show. The park will extend its usual hours for the show. For its fireworks, officials note that it is extra special to view with 3D viewing glasses, which transform the sparks into exploding Lego bricks. To make things even sweeter, the park will offer a limited-time patriotic paleta, which features "layers of tangy blueberry yogurt, creamy vanilla yogurt, and juicy fresh strawberries." Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Guests at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will enjoy an extended patriotic fireworks finale to its "Wild Skies: The Summer Nights" drone show from July 4 through July 6. The show takes place close to the Festival Field.
New York Post
17 hours ago
- New York Post
Biden struggles to set up beach chair in Malibu during first Fourth of July weekend since leaving office
What a difference a year makes. Former President Joe Biden was snapped struggling to set up a beach chair Thursday before catching some rays with family near his son Hunter's home in Malibu, Calif., to kick off his first Independence Day weekend since leaving office. 3 Former President Biden was snapped struggling to set up a beach chair in Malibu, California on July 3, 2025. BACKGRID 3 Biden was seen with Jill Biden, granddaughter Finnegan and grandson Beau Biden Jr. on July 3, 2025. BACKGRID 3 Biden took more vacation days than any modern US president. BACKGRID The ex-commander-in-chief — who took more vacation days than any modern US president while in office — lounged under a red umbrella with former first lady Jill Biden, while granddaughter Finnegan and grandson Beau Biden Jr. frolicked in the sand. Photos show the 82-year-old former Delaware senator and vice president shaking sand from his towel while wearing his signature aviator sunglasses and presidential baseball cap before packing up. Onlookers later spotted the elder Biden dining with Hunter at his favorite sushi joint Nobu later on Thursday.
