WASHINGTON, DC (August 19, 2024) – This year’s record-breakingThe popular summer travel season is coming to a close and many Americans are exploring Alaska by cruise. According to AAA booking data, Seattle is the most popular destination over Labor Day weekend*, up nearly 30% from last year when it also topped the list. Anchorage and Juneau also make the top ten list of Labor Day destinations.
“This is the time of year to take an Alaska cruise,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “Compared to early summer, there are fewer people traveling and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors! It’s no surprise that Alaska cruises are selling out this Labor Day weekend.”
AAA travel experts say if you are interested in traveling Alaska Cruise For next summer, now is the time to book to secure the best price and ensure you get the type of cabin you want.
According to AAA booking data, oTotal domestic traffic over Labor Day weekend increased 9% year-over-yearwhile domestic travel costs fell by 2%.Other top Labor Day destinations include Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and San Francisco. For many families, Labor Day is the last hurrah before school starts. To make the most of these trips, AAA recommends identifying the top attractions and creating a flexible itinerary in advance.Travel Canvas is a great free resource for travelers in the planning phase,” said Twidale. “You can find free activities in Denver or the best museums in New York City.”
Travelers taking road trips should expect to pay less for gas compared to last year. The national average over Labor Day weekend 2023 was $3.81. In recent weeks, gas prices have held steady at around $3.50. Despite the popularity of summer road trips, overall demand for gasoline has declined as daily driving habits have changed post-pandemic and pump prices are not skyrocketing. Hurricanes hitting the Gulf and impacting regional refineries could cause gasoline prices to rise as the peak of the season approaches in September. For drivers taking road trips with their electric vehicles, AAA now provides information on the cost of Level 2 commercial electric vehicle charging and is updating that data weekly.
International travel on Labor Day weekend is Decrease of 4% compared to the previous year, according to AAA booking figureswhile the cost of international travel increased by 11%. Most of these travelers are heading to Europe. Eight of the top 10 international destinations booked through AAA are European cities. Travelers renting a car abroad should consider a International driving license (IDP), which translates driver’s license information into 10 languages. Some countries – including Italy and Spain – require this. AAA is the only agency in the United States authorized by the State Department to issue an IDP.
Top Labor Day Destinations
| DOMESTIC | International |
| Seattle, Washington (State) | Vancouver, BC, Canada |
| Orlando, FL | Rome, Italy |
| Alaska | London, England |
| New York, NY | Paris, France |
| Boston, Massachusetts | Dublin, Ireland |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Denver, Colorado | Barcelona, Spain |
| Chicago, Illinois | Athens, Greece |
| Juneau, Alaska | Mexicali, Mexico |
| San Francisco, California | Edinburgh, Scotland |
Best and worst times for road trips on Labor Day weekend
INRIXa transportation data and information provider, recommends drivers avoid the afternoon and early evening hours on Thursday and Friday, as these are the times when traffic is at its heaviest. Drivers should leave in the morning, unless they are leaving on Saturday, in which case the best time to drive is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy afternoon traffic.
“Drivers should expect the worst congestion ahead of the holiday weekend as commuters mingle with travelers,” said Bob Pishue, traffic analyst at INRIX. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations and 511 travel information services can help drivers avoid congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”
| The worst and best times for car travel | |||
| Direction | Date | Worst time | Best time |
| departure | Thursday, August 29 | 13:00 – 19:30 | Before 11am |
| Friday, August 30 | 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Morning, after 7 p.m. | |
| Saturday, August 31 | 8:00 – 11:00 am | Afternoon | |
| return |
Sunday, September 1st Monday, September 2 |
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Late morning Before 10:00 am |
| Tuesday, September 3 | 8:00 am – noon | After 13:00 | |
Source: INRIX
| Peak travel times on the subway | ||||
| metro | route | Peak traffic times | Estimated travel time | Increase in traffic |
| Atlanta |
From Atlanta to Savannah via I-16 E |
Thursday, 29. 13:45 |
5 hours 1 minute | 28% |
| Boston |
From Boston to Hyannis via Pilgrim Hwy S |
Thursday, 29. 13:45 |
1 hour 42 minutes | 24% |
| Chicago |
From Chicago to Indianapolis via I-65 S |
Friday, 30. 2:45 p.m. |
5 hours 3 minutes | 39% |
| Denver |
From Fort Collins to Denver via I-25 S |
Tuesday, 3. 7:30 a.m. |
1 hour 24 minutes | 36% |
| Detroit |
From Detroit to Grand Rapids via I-96 W |
Thursday, 29. 1:30 p.m. |
2 hours 59 minutes | 20% |
| Houston |
From San Antonio to Houston via I-10 E |
Monday 2. 1:30 p.m. |
3 hours 52 minutes | 30% |
| Los Angeles |
From Bakersfield to Los Angeles via I-5 S |
Monday 2. 2:15 p.m. |
1 hour 56 minutes | 28% |
| Minneapolis |
From Eau Claire to Minneapolis via I-94 W |
Monday 2. 16:45 |
1 hour 43 minutes | 24% |
| new York |
From Jersey Shore to New York via Garden State Pkwy N |
Friday, 30. 2:15 p.m. |
1 hour 25 minutes | 40% |
| Philadelphia |
From Poconos to Philadelphia via I-76/I-476 PA Turnpike |
Monday 2. 8:30 a.m. |
3 hours 23 minutes | 35% |
| Portland |
From Eugene to Portland via I-5 N |
Monday 2. 18:00 hrs |
2 hours 33 minutes | 34% |
| San Diego |
From Palm Springs to San Diego via I-15 S |
Tuesday, 3. 9:45 am |
2 hours 29 minutes | 15% |
| San Francisco | Sacramento to San Francisco via I-80 W |
Monday 2. 16:45 |
2 hours 4 minutes | 23% |
| Seattle |
From Bellingham to Seattle via I-5 S |
Monday 2. 3:45 p.m. |
2 hours 5 minutes | 24% |
| Tampa |
From Tampa to Orlando via I-4 E |
Saturday, 31. 10:15 am |
1 hour 58 minutes | 39% |
| Washington, DC | Baltimore to Washington, DC via Balt/Wash Pkwy S |
Monday 2. 3:15 p.m. |
1 hour 3 minutes | 44% |
Source: INRIX
*Labor Day weekend
AAA examined booking data for Thursday, August 29 through Monday, September 2 and compared those numbers to booking data for the same five-day period in 2023.
About AAA
AAA was founded in 1902 by auto enthusiasts who wanted to make America’s roads better and ensure safer transportation. Since then, the organization has grown into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA provides outstanding roadside assistance, helps travelers plan their dream vacations and adventures, offers exclusive member discounts and benefits, and provides trusted financial and insurance services – all to improve the lives of our more than 64 million members in North America, including more than 57 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA offers or to become a member, visit AAA.com.
About INRIX
Founded in 2004, INRIX pioneered smart mobility solutions by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights. This revolutionary approach has made INRIX a leading provider of data and analytics on how people move. By empowering cities, businesses and people with valuable insights, INRIX is helping to make the world smarter, safer and greener. With partners and solutions spanning the entire mobility ecosystem, INRIX is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and transportation – whether it’s keeping road users safe, improving traffic lights to reduce delays and greenhouse gases, optimizing last-mile delivery or gaining market insights. Learn more at INRIX.com.
