July 4th weekend brings travel boom for flights and roads in Lowcountry. How to best avoid traffic
With fireworks on the horizon and travelers on the move, the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is soaring into one of its busiest weeks ever, fueled by surging passenger demand ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
According to Lori Lynah, director of marketing and air service development for the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, the airport recently hit a record milestone: more than 10,000 arriving and 10,000 departing airline seats were available on a single day last weekend, adding up to the most seats ever scheduled at the airport in a single day.
“That day, we had more available seats than we’ve ever seen,” Lynah said. “That’s a big deal for an airport our size.”
According to Lynah, about 82% of seats were filled last Saturday. With the record-setting number of available seats that day, the airport saw one of its busiest single-day passenger counts, reflecting both increased capacity and strong demand compared to previous years.
“It’s not an exact science, but if you’re running at 82% capacity, that’s a lot of people,” Lynah said.
Another travel push is expected in the coming days. While not quite as packed as the previous Saturday, this weekend is still projected to be among the airport’s busiest.
Lynah noted that seat availability and passenger volume go hand-in-hand, with increases on both fronts indicating a growing regional demand for travel, all estimated by a combination of flight history and trends.
The travel uptick reflects broader trends around the Fourth of July holiday, when both air and road travel typically spike.
What about on the road?
But it’s not just those in the air seeing an increase in passengers. South Carolina Highway Patrol is preparing for its own wave of travelers on the ground.
Cpl. Nick Pye, spokesperson for the SC Highway Patrol, said troopers will be out along major corridors like I-95, which funnel drivers from Florida to Virginia. Local roadways like U.S. 278 are also a point of focus due to anticipated congestion from travelers to Bluffton and Hilton Head.
“When we talk about a holiday weekend like July 4, it’s all hands on deck,” Pye said. “We’ll have all of our troopers out, even those who usually handle other job functions, making sure the roads stay safe.”
Pye urged travelers to expect delays and pack their patience, especially near popular beach destinations.
With temperatures soaring into the 90s, he also reminded drivers to check their vehicles and be prepared for breakdowns or emergencies.
If you encounter issues on the road, see an impaired driver or need other non-emergency assistance, SC Highway Patrol can be reached by dialing *HP
For emergencies, dial 911.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), these are the estimated travel numbers for the 2025 Independence Day weekend:
By car: 61.6 million; Showing a 2.2% increase from 2024 and the highest volume on record.
By plane: 5.84 million; Showing a 1.4% increase from 2024
By bus, train or cruise: 4.78 million; Showing a 7.4% increase from 2024
AAA states that these are the best and worst times to drive over the weekend:
Friday, July 4:
Worst times: Noon to 7 p.m.
Best time: Before noon
Saturday, July 5:
Worst times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Best time: Before 11 a.m.
Sunday, July 6:
Worst times: Noon to 6 p.m.
Best time: Before 11 a.m.
