Independence Day Travel: How To Plan A Better Road Trip In Texas

Independence Day is, for many, a chance to take a hard-earned summer road trip with friends and family. Unfortunately for those planning a sojourn across the Lone Star State, they'll be far from alone.

AAA estimates a record-breaking 46.9 million Americans will drive at least 50 miles from home on the country's wide open roads this holiday, an increase of more than 5 percent compared to 2017's numbers.

AAA, along with data analytics organization INRIX, predicts most road trips in congested cities, including Dallas and Houston, will take an average of twice as long as a typical road trip of the same distance — especially on Tuesday, July 3.

“This Independence Day will be one for the record books, as more Americans take to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways than ever before,” said Bill Sutherland, senior vice president of AAA Travel and Publishing. “Confident consumers with additional disposable income will look to spend on travel this holiday, building on an already busy summer travel season.”

The pileup of Tuesday traffic will come in the late afternoon as commuters heading home from work mix with road-trippers on major roadways.

“With a record-level number of travelers hitting the road this holiday, drivers must be prepared for delays around major metros,” says Scott Sedlik, general manager and vice president – public sector, INRIX. “Although travel times are expected to nominally increase throughout the week, Tuesday afternoon will hands down be the worst time to be on the road. Our advice to drivers is to avoid peak commuting hours altogether or consider alternative routes.”

There is, however, some good news. AAA notes gas prices have begun a steady fall since the Memorial Day average high of $2.97. Nationally, the average has fallen to $2.88, and, even better, Texas prices have landed at an average low of $2.64.

Dallas, Travis and Harris Counties, meanwhile, all have an average price of $2.65.

While you're traveling, use the GasBuddy application or website to find the cheapest gas in your area.

A study from Google that illustrates traffic trends that mimic those of AAA, including a spike in traffic on Tuesday evening. Dallas and Houston drivers should also expect heavier than usual traffic Tuesday morning.

No matter when you're hitting the road, the Google study has you covered. Use the interactive chart below to avoid holiday traffic on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

While you're mapping out your road trip, make an effort to avoid these heavily congested roadways, lest you love sitting around in a car, wasting that precious fuel. According to a 2017 study from The American Transportation Research Institute, it tends to pile up in urban hotspots like those listed below.

• No. 8 – I-45 at US 59 in Houston
• No. 11 – I-10 at I-45 in Houston
• No. 12 – I-45 at I-30 in Dallas
• No. 13 – I-10 at US 59 in Houston
• No. 22 – I-610 at US 290 in Houston
• No. 25 – I-45 at I-610 North in Houston
• No. 28 – I-35 in Austin
• No. 33 – I-10 at I-610 West in Houston
• No. 49 – I-35W at I-30 in Ft. Worth
• No. 59 – I-610 at US 59 West in Houston
• No. 60 – US 75 at I-635 in Dallas
• No. 65 – I-45 at Sam Houston Tollway North in Houston
• No. 82 – I-45 at I-610 South in Houston
• No. 88 – I-10 at I-610 East in Houston

If all else fails, pull up DriveTexas' handy traffic tool, which shows accidents, closures, construction and traffic in real time.

Image via Shutterstock