(NATIONAL) — As the four-day weekend approaches, families and individuals may be preparing to take one last summer trip during Labor Day weekend and AAA has multiple tips and tricks to make travel easier this holiday.
With an already record-breaking summer, travelers may expect airports to be slightly crowded as Labor Day weekend travel is up to 9% compared to last year while the cost of travel domestically is 2% down.
“Americans see the extended Labor Day weekend as an opportunity to say farewell to summer with one final trip,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Since many kids are already back in school, regional road trips tend to be the most popular option for families. Because of that, others see this as an opportunity to travel the world, with the expectation of smaller crowds at popular sites.”
According to AAA data, Alaska cruises are sold out for the weekend which may be why Seattle is the number one Labor Day Weekend destination, just like last year when it also topped the list.
The top cities that travelers are visiting this Labor Day weekend are:
Seattle, Washington.
Orlando, Florida.
Anchorage, Alaska.
New York, New York.
Boston, Massachussetts.
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Denver, Colorado.
Chicago, Illinois.
Juneau, Alaska.
San Francisco, California.
Those who opted to travel internationally mostly chose Vancouver, BC, Canada, Rome, Italy, and England, London which were the top three international Labor Day destinations.
For travelers who decide to drive, AAA suggests taking a look at travel time as roads will be congested at specific times of the day.
“Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations, and 511 traveler information services may help drivers navigate around congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”
So when should drivers travel? The graphic below says it varies per day between times that are close to noon, or after 7 p.m.
Before hitting the road, make sure to get your vehicle inspected. According to AAA, they expect to rescue more than 300,000 stranded motorists during Labor Day weekend. The most common reasons are flat tires, dead batteries, and lockouts, all of which could be avoided by having your car inspected before leaving and bringing an extra set of keys.
In the event of car trouble:
Pull over as far on the shoulder as safely as possible, and create distance between traffic and your vehicle.
Turn your hazard lights on so other drivers are aware you are there.
Get to the nearest exit or stopping point if possible.
Call for assistance via phone, website, or a mobile app.
Remain with your vehicle as long as it is safe to do so.
If for some reason, you must exit the vehicle, AAA says to watch the oncoming traffic for a good time to exit and remain alert and close to your vehicle. Avoid turning your back to traffic if possible.
Prevent a crash by remaining alert, watching for people on the road, scanning the road ahead, and moving over when a car with flashing lights approaches. AAA says those traveling in the car should be good passengers and help identify roadway issues and remind the driver to slow down or move over when needed.
As for gas prices, travelers can expect to pay less for gas compared to last year. The national average last year was $3.81, this year gas prices have remained steady at around $3.50. Hurricanes hitting the Gulf and affecting regional refineries may affect the cost of gas and increase prices as the peak of the season approaches in September.
