With Labor Day weekend upon us, millions of Americans are expected to hit the road or take to the skies to say farewell to summer with a last of the season getaway.
In kind, AAA released its predictions for Labor Day, including the not-so-sunny news that holiday costs are expected to be higher than in 2025 due to high travel demand and heavy fuel costs.
The automobile agency reports that while it’s too early to predict exactly how much gasoline will cost this holiday weekend, drivers are destined to pay more per pump this year.
On that tip, or drip, Fox News forecasts that Americans could see the average cost per gallon soar above $4 on Labor Day, beating the previous holiday record of $3.83 back in the days of yore, or 2012.
For long weekend motorists, experts recommend monitoring gas prices and topping off before entering heavily traveled corridors where fuel prices are predicted to be at their gouging peak.
Those flying high will also pay a premium as airline tickets are up 2% this year, 20% in popular destinations, averaging a staggering $750 per round-trip ticket.
AAA booking data shows Seattle, Orlando, Boston, Denver, and New York are the top domestic destinations, while Rome, Vancouver, London, Dublin, and Paris top the international list
Hotel prices have also seen an uptick in cost; domestic hotel bookings are up 9%, while international accommodations are 12% more expensive than 2025 rates.
According to INRIX and AAA, road trippers across the country will want to avoid traveling during peak windows on Thursday and Friday, as many holiday seekers will hit the road after work, adding to the normal congestion of commuters and creating less than fluid conditions.
As Thursday and Friday are slated to be the busiest days for car travel, travelers should aim to leave before 11 a.m. on Thursday and before noon or after 8 p.m. on Friday.
In addition to early morning or late evening departures, AAA recommends motorists map out alternative routes to avoid backups and bottlenecks.
Per reports, the absolute best and worst times to travel are as follows:
- Thursday, September 3: Best before 1:00 PM | Worst from 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Friday, September 4: Best before 12:00 PM | Worst from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday, September 5: Best before 10:00 AM | Worst from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday, September 6: Minimal traffic impact expected
- Monday, September 7: Best before 12:00 PM | Worst from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
For travelers driving from New York to the Jersey Shore via the Garden State Parkway South, expect peak congestion around 4:15 PM on Thursday.
According to estimates, there will be a travel time increase of 68%, meaning it could take up to 2 and a half hours to reach the beach.
AAA urges drivers to leave early to avoid congestion and frustration and to thoroughly check tires, batteries and fluids before traveling.
If taking a plane or train during the holiday weekend, experts say it is good practice to arrive earlier than usual, a full two hours or more for those flying the friendly skies.
Further time and sanity-saving measures include reserving and pre-paying for parking to avoid the dreaded “garage full” sign during holiday travel.
To avoid chaos or lost luggage, arrive at the airport about two hours before a scheduled flight and avoid checking a bag if possible.
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