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O’Hare Expected to See Busiest Ever Fourth of July Travel Period, City Says

As the U.S. celebrates its 250th birthday, this year is expected to be the busiest Fourth of July travel period in O’Hare International Airport’s history, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Nearly 1.95 million passengers will pass through O’Hare and Midway airports from this past Wednesday through Monday, according to the city. The combined passenger traffic at the city’s two airports is projected to increase 7% compared to the same holiday travel period last year, according to a news release.

O’Hare’s busiest day of the six-day holiday travel period is expected to be Sunday, when more than 300,000 passengers are anticipated to pass through the airport. Midway’s peak travel day is expected to be Monday, with nearly 60,000 passengers. 

“Chicago’s airports always step up during the summer for the many travelers coming through O’Hare and Midway,” CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray said in a Wednesday statement. “This summer will be no different, and we look forward to making the traveling experience a memorable one for passengers arriving to Chicago for this historic Independence Day weekend.” 

Of the nearly 1.95 million passengers expected to pass through O’Hare and Midway over the holiday travel period, about 1.62 million passengers will be at O’Hare — an 8% increase from the same time last year. A total of 325,000 passengers will make their way through Midway, which is a 1.5% increase from last year, according to a news release.

The auto group AAA estimates about 4.2 million Illinois residents will travel at least 50 miles from home for what they measure as the nine-day Independence Day holiday travel period, running from June 27 through this upcoming Sunday.

Of those, most travelers in Illinois will take to the road, with an estimated 3.8 million driving to their destinations, according to AAA.

“With an extended holiday travel period, we expect busy roads, steady demand for flights, and continued interest in cruises across many parts of the country,” AAA Vice President of Travel Debbie Haas said in a June statement.

More than 8.3 million vehicles are expected to travel on the Illinois Tollway system over the five-day Fourth of July holiday weekend between Thursday and Monday, according to the Illinois Tollway. The busiest travel day is expected on Thursday, with 2 million vehicles anticipated to pass through the system.

“As families and friends travel to celebrate the Fourth of July, we encourage everyone to take their time and put safety first,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said in a Wednesday statement. “A little planning before you leave and a little patience behind the wheel can go a long way toward helping everyone enjoy a safe holiday weekend.” 

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Thursday lanes closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Independence Day weekend to minimize travel disruption.

However, many lane closures will remain in place in the city, including at:

• Foster Avenue over the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) 
• Westbound Foster Avenue ramp to outbound Kennedy
• Eastbound Ohio Street feeder ramp between Orleans Street and the Kennedy; lane reductions continue
• Westbound Ontario Street ramp between Orleans Street and the Kennedy; lane reductions continue
• Ashland Avenue over the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290); lane reductions continue

Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]

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