Experts forecast a record number of drivers hitting the road this Fourth of July holiday, according to AAA. Nearly 43 million people will be traveling for Independence Day, the highest Fourth of July travel volume on record.
To help cut down on traffic, both St. Augustine and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority are offering free transportation services.
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Free Park n' Ride shuttle in St. Augustine
This service will provide transportation to and from downtown St. Augustine starting on Saturday, July 2 and lasting until Monday, July 4. The times will be from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. the following day. The shuttles will bring people to the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center, 10 W. Castillo Drive.
Pick-up will occur at three different mainland locations every 20 minutes:
- St. Johns County Administration Building
- St. Johns County Health Department
- 301 San Marco Avenue
There will also be four island pick-up locations:
- Anastasia Baptist Church
- St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- R. B. Hunt Elementary School
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
The city will also be providing additional free parking near downtown St. Augustine. A parking area will be open just west of U.S. 1 on King Street, at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility. Parking in city owned lots and on-street is free on Sundays and on July 4th.
Parking restrictions are enforced at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument everyday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., regardless of weekends and holidays.
More information about the St. Augustine free holiday services can be found here.
Skyway and trolley services in Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will provide complimentary Skyway services on Monday, July 4, from 5 p.m. until midnight.
Trolley services will be available on its beaches trolley from July 1-4 at the following times:
- Friday: 7 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m.-2:30 a.m.
- Sunday: Noon-6 p.m.
- Monday (Fourth of July): 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Single trips on the trolley are $1.50 with exact change. Seniors 65 and older with a valid Senior STAR Card have free access.