307K tourists expected for Fourth of July weekend in Las Vegas
Along with fireworks and searing heat, expect about 307,000 visitors to swarm Las Vegas to celebrate Independence Day, most of whom will be driving into town.
About 200,000 additional motorists will hit local roadways during the three-day holiday weekend, with the heaviest congestion expected along Interstate 15, U.S. Highway 95 and the Strip, said Tony Illia, a spokesman for the Nevada Transportation Department.
That’s a significant jump from the 104,000 vehicles that typically travel on Southern Nevada’s streets and highways on an average day.
“Motorists should allow additional travel time to reach their final destination, and remain alert while driving,” Illia said.
From Friday through Tuesday, an estimated 625,000 airline passengers will depart or arrive at McCarran International Airport, up 4.7 percent from the same period last year, airport spokeswoman Christine Crews said.
The busiest days at the airport are expected to be Sunday and Monday, when about 70,000 departing passengers are expected to be screened for security, said Lorie Dankers, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration. About 62,000 travelers are usually screened at the airport on an average day.
“The Fourth of July period is not one that has a significant impact on McCarran because there are no major conventions or events,” Dankers said. “It will be a normal weekend for TSA operations.”
The influx of travelers means some serious cash will be dropped this weekend.
Out-of-town visitors are expected to spend about $206.5 million on food, hotels and gambling during the Independence Day weekend, a 1 percent increase from the same time last year, according to Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority figures.
Of the 149,262 total available hotel rooms in the region, 95 percent will be occupied for the weekend, the authority said.
Nationally, AAA forecasts nearly 43 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend, representing a 1.3 increase from last year.
Contact Art Marroquin at amarroquin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0336. Find @AMarroquin_LV on Twitter.
