Millions of Americans are gearing up to head to the airport or hit the highway for the last long weekend of summer.
Here’s what to know about Labor Day weekend travel:
Air travel
More than 17 million people are forecast to be screened at U.S. airports from Thursday, Aug. 29, to Wednesday, Sept. 4 — an 8.5% increase from last year, the Transportation Security Administration said.
The TSA anticipates Friday, Aug. 30, will be its busiest day with 2.86 million travelers expected.
The TSA’s top 10 busiest travel days ever have all occurred since May.
United Airlines expects this year will be its busiest Labor Day weekend on record, with over 2.9 million passengers poised to fly between Thursday, Aug. 29, and Tuesday, Sept. 3 — up 3% from last year. United predicts Aug. 30 will be its busiest day.
American Airlines predicts this year will be its largest Labor Day operations ever, with over 3.8 million customers anticipated from Aug. 29 to Sept. 3 — up 14% from last year. American says its busiest travel days will be Aug. 29 and Aug. 30.
For Southwest Airlines, Aug. 30 and Sept. 2 are forecast to be peak travel days.
The busiest airports are anticipated to be Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, according to Hopper.
The most searched domestic destinations for Labor Day are New York City, Seattle and Los Angeles, according to Hopper.
What to know about Labor Day weekend travel.
ABC News Photo Illustration
Road travel
If you’re hitting the road on Thursday, Aug. 29, the worst time to drive is from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to analytics company INRIX.
On Friday, Aug. 30, the worst travel time is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Monday, Sept. 2, the busiest time on the roads will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., INRIX said.
AAA said drivers should expect to pay less for gas this year. The national average for gas during Labor Day weekend 2023 was $3.81; this year, prices are expected to be around $3.50.
Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with millions of Americans hitting the road or taking to the skies to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. Whether you’re planning a road trip or a flight to your destination, it’s important to know the best and worst times to travel in order to avoid traffic and long lines at the airport.
When it comes to driving, the best times to hit the road are early in the morning or late at night. Traffic tends to be lighter during these times, making for a smoother and more enjoyable drive. If you’re driving on Friday, try to leave before noon or after 7 p.m. to avoid the bulk of rush hour traffic. On Monday, consider leaving in the morning before 10 a.m. or in the evening after 6 p.m. to avoid the post-weekend rush.
On the flip side, the worst times to drive during Labor Day weekend are typically Friday afternoon and evening, as well as Monday afternoon and evening. These are peak travel times when highways and interstates are congested with holiday travelers. If you can, try to avoid driving during these times to save yourself from sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
When it comes to flying, the best times to travel are early in the morning or late at night. These are typically less crowded times at the airport, meaning shorter lines at security and fewer delays. If you’re flying out on Friday, aim for a morning or late-night flight to avoid the midday rush. On Monday, consider booking an early morning flight to beat the crowds.
Conversely, the worst times to fly during Labor Day weekend are Friday afternoon and evening, as well as Monday afternoon and evening. These are peak travel times when airports are bustling with holiday travelers, leading to long lines at check-in and security. If possible, try to avoid flying during these times to minimize stress and potential delays.
Overall, planning ahead and being mindful of the best and worst times to drive and fly during Labor Day weekend can help make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable. By avoiding peak travel times, you can save yourself from unnecessary stress and frustration, allowing you to focus on enjoying your holiday weekend with friends and family.
