Labor Day travel rush approaches as Americans face higher costs and heavy traffic

The unofficial end of summer is approaching, and Americans are preparing to make the most of the long Labor Day weekend with road trips, flights, cruises and last-minute vacations.

Travel demand remains strong heading into the Sept. 3-7 holiday travel period, according to AAA booking data, but travelers may notice something different this year: getting away could cost more.

Domestic airfare and hotel prices have climbed compared with last Labor Day, while drivers are also preparing for congested highways as vacation traffic mixes with normal weekday commuters.

Where Americans are going

Seattle tops AAA’s list of the most popular domestic destinations for Labor Day weekend, followed by Orlando, Boston, Denver and New York.

The full top 10 domestic list includes Chicago, the Anaheim/Los Angeles area, Las Vegas, Anchorage and Atlanta.

The popularity of Seattle and Anchorage reflects continued interest in Alaska cruises as the summer cruise season winds down. National parks are also drawing travelers, with Denver and Las Vegas serving as starting points for trips to destinations including Rocky Mountain, Arches, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks.

International travelers are heading heavily toward Europe and Canada.

Rome ranks as AAA’s most popular international destination, followed by Vancouver, London, Dublin and Paris. Barcelona, Athens, Amsterdam and Halifax are also among the leading international destinations.

Domestic flights are getting more expensive

Travelers flying within the United States are paying slightly more overall than they did last Labor Day.

AAA booking data shows the average domestic round-trip ticket is about $750, approximately 2% higher than last year.

The increase is considerably larger for some of the most popular destinations. Flights to AAA's top domestic destinations are roughly 20% more expensive than last year, averaging close to $800 per ticket.

International travelers are seeing a different trend. Average international round-trip airfare is about $1,240, approximately 4% cheaper than last Labor Day.

When will Labor Day traffic be worst?

Drivers may want to pay particularly close attention to when they leave home.

Transportation-data provider INRIX expects Labor Day traffic to be concentrated into relatively short periods, especially as holiday travelers mix with commuters Thursday and Friday.

The worst driving periods are expected to be:

Thursday, Sept. 3: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 4: Noon to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 7: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday is expected to see comparatively little holiday-related traffic disruption.

Travelers who have flexibility can improve their odds of avoiding the worst congestion by leaving before 1 p.m. Thursday, before noon Friday, before 10 a.m. Saturday or before noon on Labor Day.

Road-trip preparation could make a big difference

Heavy traffic isn't the only concern for people traveling by car.

AAA says it responded to more than 400,000 roadside assistance calls during last year's Labor Day holiday period, including drivers dealing with dead batteries, flat tires, lockouts and vehicles that needed towing.

Before beginning a long drive, travelers should check their tire pressure and tread, battery and fluid levels.

Keeping basic emergency supplies in the vehicle — including water, snacks, a flashlight and jumper cables — can also help prevent a relatively minor breakdown from becoming a major problem.

One last trip before summer ends

Labor Day has traditionally provided families and travelers with one final opportunity for a summer vacation before fall routines take over.

This year's destination list suggests travelers are looking for a wide range of experiences.

Some are heading to theme parks in Orlando or Southern California. Others are using the weekend for national park trips, Alaska cruises or sightseeing in major European cities.

For travelers still making plans, leaving early and allowing additional time may be among the simplest ways to make the final big travel weekend of summer a little less stressful.