Bend, Newport, Medford/Ashland Among Top July 4 Travel Destinations
AAA expects 877,000 Oregonians to travel for Independence Day, with most heading out by car.
Most Independence Day travelers are expected to drive, with AAA forecasting 61.4 million road travelers nationwide and about 685,000 in Oregon. (AAA)
MEDFORD, Ore. — Independence Day travel is expected to set another national record this year, with AAA forecasting 72.2 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more from home during the holiday period.
In Oregon, about 877,000 people are expected to travel for the Fourth of July holiday, according to AAA Oregon/Idaho. The 2026 Independence Day travel period runs from Saturday, June 27 through Sunday, July 5.
AAA says the national travel forecast is up slightly from 71.8 million travelers last year. The increase is smaller than recent year-over-year gains, but still marks another record for the holiday.
The Fourth of July falls on a Saturday this year and also marks the nation’s 250th birthday, a combination expected to make Independence Day the busiest travel holiday of the summer.
For Oregon travelers, several of the top destinations are close to home.
Bend, Newport and Medford/Ashland are among the top regional destinations listed in AAA Oregon/Idaho booking data for Independence Day 2026. (AAA)
AAA Oregon/Idaho booking data lists Bend as the top regional Independence Day destination for its members, followed by Boise, Seattle, Portland and Newport. Medford/Ashland also made the regional top 10, along with Kennewick, Meridian, Seaside and Billings.
Major community events are expected to add to the holiday draw in several of Oregon’s top destinations.
In Bend, the city’s longtime Fourth of July Pet Parade returns downtown, with parade lineup beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the parade starting at 9:30 a.m. Bend also hosts its annual professional fireworks display from Pilot Butte, which is visible from many areas around the city.
The Freedom Festival parade brings crowds to downtown Central Point each Independence Day, adding to the Rogue Valley’s appeal as Medford/Ashland ranks among AAA Oregon/Idaho’s top regional holiday destinations. Photo courtesy Central Point Chamber of Commerce.
In Medford, the City of Medford is hosting Red, White, and Pool from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rogue X, with open swim, open gym activities, food while supplies last, live music, contests and family activities. Nearby, Central Point’s Fourth of July Freedom Festival and BoomFest at the Jackson County Expo are expected to remain major Rogue Valley draws, with the BoomFest fireworks show scheduled for dusk.
In Ashland, the Ashland Chamber’s Fourth of July Celebration begins with a 9:30 a.m. parade from Triangle Park toward the Plaza and Water Street, followed by activities in Lithia Park, including bandshell performances, a kids zone, food booths, craft booths and family entertainment.
Central Point’s Fourth of July Freedom Festival is one of the Rogue Valley events expected to draw families and holiday travelers as Oregon heads into a record Independence Day travel period. Photo courtesy Central Point Chamber of Commerce.
The Oregon rankings point to strong holiday interest in Central Oregon, the Oregon Coast and Southern Oregon, with Bend, Newport and Medford/Ashland all expected to draw summer travelers.
Most travelers will go by car. AAA expects 61.4 million Americans, or about 85% of all holiday travelers, to drive to their destinations. In Oregon, about 685,000 people are expected to drive during the holiday period.
AAA and INRIX expect the heaviest holiday road traffic during afternoon and evening periods, especially around the July 2 departure rush and July 5 return trip. (AAA)
Drivers should expect heavier traffic around the second half of the holiday week, especially Thursday, July 2 and Sunday, July 5, according to AAA and INRIX transportation data. The most congested times are expected during afternoon and evening hours, when holiday traffic overlaps with regular commuter traffic.
For Oregon routes, INRIX data included several Portland-area travel corridors. Southbound I-5 from Portland to Eugene is projected to be busiest at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, with travel time estimated at 2.3 hours compared with a normal 2 hours. For the return trip, northbound I-5 from Eugene to Portland is projected to be busiest at about 5:15 p.m. Sunday, July 5.
Central Oregon travelers may also see delays. The Portland-to-Bend route via Warm Springs Highway is projected to be busiest at about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, while Bend-to-Portland return traffic is projected to be busiest at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5.
AAA says the best times to drive are generally in the morning, with Monday, June 29 and Tuesday, June 30 expected to offer lighter travel conditions than the peak holiday departure and return days.
AAA reports Oregon gas prices are higher heading into the holiday period, adding another cost for road-tripping families across the state. (AAA)
Air travel is also expected to tick up slightly. AAA projects 5.85 million Americans will fly for Independence Day, including more than 124,000 Oregonians.
The report did not break out airfare by Oregon airport. Nationally, AAA says domestic roundtrip flights are averaging $830, about 1% higher than last year. International roundtrip flights are averaging $1,150, about 16% lower than last year.
Gas prices are also higher heading into the holiday period. AAA reported the national average at $4.03 per gallon and the Oregon average at $4.95 per gallon as of June 17. According to AAA, those prices are the highest for the Independence Day holiday since 2022.
About 64,000 Oregonians are expected to travel by other modes, including buses, trains and cruises. Nationally, that category is seeing the largest year-over-year increase, with AAA forecasting 4.93 million travelers using other modes of transportation, up 5.3% from last year.
AAA’s full forecast is based on expected travel of 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday period.
Cover image: Central Point’s Fourth of July Freedom Festival is expected to be one of the Rogue Valley’s major holiday draws as AAA forecasts 877,000 Oregonians will travel for Independence Day. Photo courtesy Central Point Chamber of Commerce.
