Americans are preparing for a busy Independence Day travel period, with new booking data from Hertz showing strong demand for road trips, family vacations and extended holiday getaways.

The findings come as AAA forecasts that 72.2 million Americans will travel during the July Fourth holiday period, including 61.4 million people expected to travel by car.

According to Hertz, travelers are planning further ahead this year, booking rental vehicles earlier and spreading departures across a longer holiday window.

Travelers Booking Earlier Than Last Year

Hertz says July Fourth bookings are being made approximately one week earlier on average compared with 2025.

The trend suggests that travelers are increasingly seeking to secure preferred vehicle types and travel dates before peak demand drives down availability.

The busiest vehicle pickup dates are expected to be July 2, June 27 and July 1, indicating that many travelers are extending their holiday plans beyond the traditional long weekend.

SUVs Remain The Most Popular Choice

SUVs continue to dominate rental demand for Independence Day travel, reflecting the needs of families, groups and travelers embarking on longer road trips.

The popularity of SUVs highlights continued demand for vehicles offering additional space, comfort and flexibility during summer travel.

Whether heading to beaches, national parks or major cities, travelers are increasingly prioritizing convenience and luggage capacity.

Hybrid And Electric Vehicle Demand Climbs

One of the strongest growth areas is hybrid vehicle rentals, with demand rising 140% compared with the same period last year.

Travelers are increasingly looking for ways to reduce fuel costs while maintaining the familiarity and range flexibility of traditional vehicles.

Electric vehicles are also gaining popularity, helped by competitive rental pricing in many markets where EV rates are comparable to or lower than conventional vehicle categories.

Top July Fourth Destinations

Hertz data identifies a mix of leisure destinations and major metropolitan areas as the most popular locations for Independence Day travel.

The top five destinations for July Fourth travelers this year are:

• Orlando
• Denver
• Boston
• Los Angeles
• New York City

The rankings reflect strong demand for family attractions, outdoor recreation and major cities known for large-scale Independence Day celebrations.

Road Travel Continues To Dominate

With millions of Americans expected to travel over the holiday period, road trips remain the preferred way to celebrate Independence Day.

Hertz expects booking activity to continue increasing as the holiday approaches, with last-minute reservations likely to contribute to one of the busiest summer travel periods of the year.

The combination of earlier planning, growing interest in fuel-efficient vehicles and continued enthusiasm for road travel points to another strong July Fourth season across the United States.