These are the best and worst times to travel on Labor Day weekend
The excitement of traveling over Labor Day weekend can quickly be dampened by terrible traffic or a crowded airport. If you want to avoid those two things, listen up: These are the best and worst times to travel during the holiday. Buzz60’s Susana Victoria Perez has more on that.
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Labor Day weekend is expected to be a busy time for travelers looking to take a summer trip, according to AAA. The company noted Monday that this period is popular due to smaller crowds and cooler temperatures.
“Americans see the Labor Day weekend as an opportunity to say goodbye to summer with one last trip,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel at AAA. “With many children already back in school, regional road trips are the most popular option for families.”
Related: Gasoline prices in Michigan fall to lowest level since June
The auto club doesn’t provide a full travel forecast for the holiday, but it has made some predictions based on its own bookings. Nationally, domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is up 9% compared to last year, while the cost of domestic travel is down 2%.
And the Alaska cruises for the weekend were sold out.
Seattle was the most popular destination over Labor Day weekend, up nearly 30% from last year when it also topped the list. The other top ten destinations were Chicago, Orlando, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver and Anchorage and Juneau, not surprisingly, both in Alaska.
“If you are interested in an Alaska cruise next summer, now is the time to book,” Haas said.
By booking early, she added, you’ll secure the best rates and the cabin type you want, as well as the scenic views.
AAA booking figures show that international travel over Labor Day weekend was down 4% compared to last year. One reason for this is inflation, which drove up international travel costs by 11%. Another is the timing, as many people took international summer vacations.
And if you’re traveling by car, avoid the afternoon and early evening hours on Thursday and Friday, recommends INRIX, a transportation data and information provider. Instead, head out in the morning, unless you’re leaving on Saturday.
Travelers returning on Sunday and Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid congestion.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected].
