Fireworks will not be the only impressive element to this year's Fourth of July holiday.
In what will be a record-breaker for Independence Day travel, nearly 43 million Americans - including more than 830,000 Tennesseans - are expected to drive, fly or use other modes of transportation over a five-day period, according to AAA.
More than 36 million people - 84 percent of holiday travelers - will drive to their holiday destinations, an increase of 1.2 percent over the last year. Air travel is also expected to increase 2.2 percent since last year, as 3.3 million Americans will soar the skies this weekend.
The reason? Low gasoline costs, said Joseph J. Richardson Jr., president and CEO of the Auto Club Group, the second largest club of AAA.
"Independence Day is always the most-traveled holiday of the summer, but this year it will be bigger than ever, primarily because of low gas prices," he said. "Airports will be just as crowded as the roads because low fuel prices are making it more affordable to fly."
The average price for a gallon of gas in Tennessee is $2.10, 64 cents less than the July 4, 2015, average and $1.35 less than in 2014, according to AAA.
These lower prices combined with higher wages have enabled millions of Americans to save during 2016, motivating them to hit the road this weekend, according to Don Lindsey, ACG's Tennessee public affairs director.
"The average motorist has saved about $100 on gasoline so far this year compared to the first six months of 2015," Lindsey said.
GasBuddy.com predicts that Independence Day gas prices will be the cheapest in more than 10 years, with a national average of $2.27 per gallon.
With more drivers hitting the roads this weekend - more than 744,000 in Tennessee and 1.2 million in Georgia - the Tennessee Transportation Department is shutting down road construction projects. Construction-related lane closures will be suspended on interstates and state highways through 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Transportation Commissioner John Schroer said suspending roadwork will help travelers reach their destinations safely and with fewer delays. Some long-term lane closures will remain in place, and increased fines will still apply for speeding in areas where workers are present.
While Independence Day is one of the most-traveled holidays, it is also considered one of the deadliest of the year due to road accidents and drunken driving, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Alcohol was a factor in 40 percent of the traffic deaths across the nation during the July 4 holiday period in 2015, according to the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
Since 2013, the Tennessee Highway Patrol has reported nearly 40 traffic-related fatalities during the holiday period.
In 2015, there were seven deaths in Tennessee, two of which were alcohol-related. There were also 68 people arrested on suspicion of impaired driving and 1,785 seat belt citations issued, according to the THP.
This year, motorists are encouraged to stay sober, alert and buckled up while driving, said Matt Lea, public information officer for the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
"Many of the main arteries coming in and out of Hamilton County will be a little more frequented with traffic, so we just want to encourage the public to be safe," he said. "We encourage them to make sure that they obey all traffic laws, don't operate boats or vehicles under the influence and just have a respectful time."
During the first six months of 2016, preliminary statistics show that 45 percent of the state's traffic fatalities were from unrestrained motorists and 16 percent were due to alcohol-impaired drivers.
As of June 28, 481 people have died on Tennessee roadways so far, an increase of 55 deaths compared to 426 fatalities at this same time in 2015.
State troopers will conduct sobriety and seat belt checkpoints during the weekend to help keep citizens safe.
"The goal of the Tennessee Highway Patrol is to prevent or reduce fatal traffic incidents," THP Col. Tracy Trott said. "We are stressing to our troopers that the strict enforcement of hazardous traffic violations such as speeding, seat belt enforcement, distracted driving and driving under the influence will help us to accomplish our goal of reducing fatalities," he added.
Last year, Georgia saw 15 traffic fatalities in addition to a 15 percent increase in traffic crashes and injuries during the 78-hour holiday period.
"The July 4th holiday period is one we generally see people consuming alcohol during their activities at the pool, lake, cookout and other celebrations," said Harris Blackwood, director of Georgia highway safety. "If you plan on putting alcoholic beverages in your cooler, then make a plan to have someone drive you home." AAA Tow To Go and Budweiser will offer free rides up to 10 miles between July 1 and 6 a.m. on July 5.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is not the only major issue for law enforcement to tackle this year, according to Chattanooga police Sgt. Justin Kilgore. Texting and driving is another concern for police.
"People are trying to communicate with others over the weekend, so that's also a distraction because people want to do that while they're driving," he said. "Leave your phones to the side, because unfortunately texting and driving is becoming more of an issue than drinking and driving itself."
While texting and driving is already illegal in Tennessee, a new, stricter law will be effective starting today.
The penalty will now be considered a moving violation rather than a non-moving infraction, which means judges will be able to deduct points from driver's licenses and order offenders to attend traffic safety school.
As residents are out and about during the holiday weekend, they are also advised to look out for possible storms in the Chattanooga area, according to Paul Barys, WRCB's chief meteorologist.
"I have a 30 percent chance for showers and storms during the heat of the day both Sunday and Monday; highs should be near 92 both days," Barys said. "It will not be intensely hot like it was last week, but if you are out on the lake or outdoors anywhere, make sure if you hear thunder or see lightning to take cover."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Contact staff writer Kimberly Sebring at 423-757-6322 or at ksebring@timesfreepress.com.