Planning a Fourth of July getaway but dreading the crowds and the chaos?
With millions of Americans hitting the road for the holiday, choosing the right destination for your getaway can be challenging. While Washington, D.C., New York, and Nashville regularly top the charts when it comes to Independence Day visitors, other destinations have plenty to offer.
Our data-backed guide to the best places to go for Fourth of July celebrations gives you the lowdown on the top destinations. From gas prices and weather to local events and traffic patterns, we’ve ranked the very best destinations across the country.
Here’s what we discovered!
The Top U.S. States to Visit This Fourth of July Weekend
Every state has its individual take on Independence Day celebrations. We’ve ranked the best states for Fourth of July visitors based on travel stats, weather data, and last year’s local event numbers. While conditions can vary year to year, past trends provide a reliable guide to help you plan the ideal getaway for great Fourth of July vacations.
With an overall score of 99 out of 100, we’re officially crowning Texas as the best state to celebrate the 4th of July. With its big skies, bigger fireworks, and patriotic spirit, towns like San Antonio and Austin go all out over the weekend. Three hundred Independence Day events were held in the state last year, and with 373,000 searches for ‘Independence Day’, Texans are looking forward to the celebrations. And with the lowest gas prices in the country at $2.13, it’s the cheapest place to fill up the tank and visit the spectacular events on offer!
Arizona is baking hot in July with an average temperature of 102°F, but its clear desert skies are the perfect place to watch the fireworks, with over 100 events to choose from. Relatively quiet roads with only 1,200,000 travelers last year also make it an off-beat choice for Fourth of July weekend trips. It takes second place with an impressive 95 out of 100.
Although Florida’s roads can get busy—last year saw 3.9 million travelers—the state makes up for it with glorious sunshine (average July temperature of 91°F) and some of the nation’s lowest gas prices at just $2.47 per gallon. Florida is a year-round holiday hotspot, but it truly shines on the Fourth of July with its vibrant mix of over 300 events, including beach parties, boat parades, and lively city celebrations. In third place with 77 points out of 100, it’s a perennial favorite for year-round celebrations.
Nevada also ties for joint third place, offering a more relaxed but still enjoyable Independence Day experience with 77 points. With fewer crowds on the roads – 600,000 travelers – and a modest 150 events around the state, it offers a lower-key choice that still delivers festive charm.
Where the Roads Are Clear This July 4th
There’s no better way to celebrate the 4th of July than with a Great American Road Trip, but nothing dampens the holiday spirit like congestion. To help you avoid the traffic on one of the busiest weekends of the year, we’ve taken a look at 2024’s road traffic data across all 50 states over the Fourth of July weekend to identify which saw the most and least congestion.
If you’re looking for the freedom of the open road, then Nevada, Oregon, or Minnesota are the best places to go for Fourth of July travel. With quiet roads and scenic routes to enjoy, they offer an off-the-beaten-track alternative to some of the more obvious vacation hotspots.
With just 600,000 on its roads, Nevada saw less than a tenth of the road traffic experienced by California, our busiest state. Don’t worry if you can’t make the casino tables in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whether you’re travelling or staying close to home this Fourth of July weekend, you can celebrate with American roulette from Playstar. Oregon (676,000) and Minnesota (1,000,000) also had fairly quiet roads last year, making for quicker commutes and smoother travels across both states.
It’s perhaps no surprise that making up our top 5 busiest states are populous California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and New York. The Fourth of July is always a real spectacle in these states, but be prepared for the crowds and potential long waits in your vehicle.
Wherever you’re headed, Playstar lets you discover American-themed slots that capture the pride and passion of Fourth of July celebrations, so your passengers can while away the time if you get stuck in those tailbacks!
Methodology
We analyzed 2024 data across multiple factors, including average gas prices, historical weather, road traffic volumes, the number of Fourth of July events by state, and Google searches. Each factor was then scored and weighted to reflect its impact on the overall holiday experience. Conditions may vary from year to year, but our ratings provide a strong indication of the best states to visit for a memorable Independence Day weekend in 2025.
