Last Hurrah of Summer: Top Labor Day Travel Trends

Red White and Blue Flag Graphic

Washington, DC (Aug. 15, 2025) – Whather IT’s An Alaska Cruise, Central Florida Theme Park, or Broadway Show, Maany AMERICANS ARECANS ARE Squeezing in One Final Trip Before Summer Ends. According to Aaa Booking Data, Seattle, Orlando, and New York Are the Three Most Popular Cities Over Labor Day Weekend*. The good news for domestic travels is that flights, hotels, and car rentals are cheaper this labor day weekend compared to last year.

“Labor Day Caps Off Summer Travel and Provides One Final Holiday Weekend Before The Fall Routine Begins,” said stacey barber, Vice President of Aaa Travel. “The top cities on the domestic and international lists are seattle and Vancouver, both port cities for Alaska Cruises Closer to Home and Taking Road Trips to Nearby beaches or national parks,

Domestic Roundtrip Flights are 6% cheaper compared to last year, averaging $ 720 a ticket. Many travelers are flying Into Orlando, New York, Denver, and Atlanta for Sightseeing, Attractions, and Events. AAA Booking Data also Shows Hotel Rates are 11% Lower and Car Rental Costs are 3% cheaper compared to last labor day. Aaa car Rental Partner Hertz Says the top destinations based on Advanced Bookings are Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, And Atlanta, With the Busiest Day to Pick Up Rental Cars Expected to Be FREDAY, August 29.

Summer Gas Pries Have Remained Low, Matching Summer Average in 2021. Last year, the national average for a gallon of regular was $ 3.33 on labor day. Barring a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Affecting Gulf Coast Refineries, Gas Pris Should Stay Below What they were last year. So far in 2025, Gas price have seen few Fluctations Thanks to Steady Crude Oil Pries.

The cost to travel this labor day weekend is a mixed bag – while hotels are 2% cheaper, airfare is 8% more more expensive. European Cities Make Up Most of AAA’s Top International Destinations, but the number one spot belongs to vancouver. Alaska cruises are wrapping up a strong season, as aaa projected at the persian with the year with the 2025 cruise forecast,

AAA’s Top Labor Day Weekend Destinations

Domestic

International

Seattle, Wa Vancouver, canada
Orlando, FL Rome, Italy
New York, NY Dublin, Ireland
Boston, ma London, England
Anchorage, AK Paris, France
Chicago, IL Amsterdam, Netherlands
Atlanta, ga Barcelona, Spain
Denver, Co Athens, Greece
Miami, Fl Edinburgh, Scotland
Las vegas, nv Lisbon, Portugal

Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car Over Labor Day Weekend

InrixA provider of transportation data and insights, say the best time to drive over labor day weekend are before lunchtime, and for that Hitting the road on Saturday, The EarLier, The Better! Traffic congestion works as the day programs. The Worst Times to Drive Over the Holiday Weekend Are Typical In the afternoon and Early Evening. Saturday is expected to be extra busy with many drivers heading out of town or taking day trips.

Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car

Date Best Travel Time Worst Travel Time
Thursday, Aug 28 Before 1:00 pm 1:00 PM – 8:00 pm
Friday, Aug 29 Before 12:00 pm 12:00 PM – 8:00 pm
Saturday, Aug 30 6:00 am – 10:00 am 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday, Aug 31 Before 11:00 am 12:00 PM – 5:00 pm
Monday, Sep 1 Before 12:00 pm 1:00 PM – 4:00 pm

Peak congestion by metro

Metro Route Peak congestion period Est. Travel time

Increase

Compared to typical

Atlanta

Charleston to Atlanta

via i-20 w

Friday, Aug 29

4:45 pm

6 hours

41 minutes

31%
Boston

Boston to manchester

via i-93 n

Monday, Sep 1

12:15 pm

1 hour

25 minutes

101%
Chicago

Indianapolis to chicago

via i-65 n

Friday, Aug 29

5:15 pm

5 hours

6 minutes

72%
Deenver

Denver to Fort Collins

via i-25 n

Thursday, Aug 28 12:00 pm

1 hour

38 minutes

81%
Detroit

Detroit to Grand Rapids

via i-96 w

Thursday, Aug 28 4:15 pm

3 hours

41 minutes

44%
Houseton

Galveston to Houston

via i-45 n

Thursday, Aug 28 5:15 pm

1 hour

31 minutes

54%
Los angeles

Los angeles to palm springs

via i-10 e

Thursday, Aug 28 7:30 pm

4 hours

13 minutes

71%
Minneapolis

Eau Claire to Minneapolis

via i-94 w

Thursday, Aug 28 4:45 pm

1 hour

57 minutes

43%
New york

New York to Hamptons

via long island expressway e

Friday, Aug 29

2:45 pm

3 hours

32 minutes

68%
Philadelphia

Baltimore to Philadelphia

via i-95 n

Friday, Aug 29 11:00 am

3 hours

13 minutes

57%
Portland

Eugene to portland

via i-5 n

Friday, Aug 29

4:00 pm

2 hours

60 minters

74%
San diego

San Diego to Palm Springs

via i-15 n

Friday, Aug 29

6:00 PM

4 hours

6 minutes

57%
San francisco

San Francisco to Sacramento

via i-80 e

Friday, Aug 29

5:45 pm

4 hours

25 minutes

78%
Seattle

Ellensburg to Seattle

via i-90 w

Monday, Sep 1

5:15 pm

3 hours

48 minutes

101%
Tampa

Tampa to Orlando

via i-4 e

Friday, Aug 29

4:15 pm

3 hours

14 minutes

78%
Washington, dc

Washington, dc to baltimore

Via Balt/wash parkway n

Thursday, Aug 28 3:30 pm

1 hour

35 minters

86%

Source: Inrix

*Labor Day Weekend

AAA LOKED At Booking Data for Thursday, August 28 Through Monday, September 1, and Compared Theose Numbers with Booking Data for that Same But-Day Period in 2024.

About aaa

Started in 1902 by Automotive EnthusIasts who wanted to Chart a Path for Better Roads in America and Advocate for Safe for Mobility, Aaa has transformed into one of north American ‘ Organizations. Today, AAA Delivers Exceptional RoadSide Assistance, Helps Travelers Plan their Dream Vacations and Adventures, offers Exclusive Member Discounts and Benefits, and Provides Trusted Finnancy and Insuranance Services – All to enhance the life journey of 64+ Million Members Across North America, Including Over 57 Million in the United States. To learn more about all aaa offers or become a member, visit aaa.com.

About Inrix

Founded in 2004, Inrix Pionered Intelligent Mobility Solutions by Transforming Big Data from Connected Devices and Vehicles Into Mobility Insights. This revolutionary approach enabled Inrix to become one of the leading provides of data and analytics into how people move. By Empowering Cities, Businesses, and People with Valuable Insights, Inrix is helping to make the world smarter, safer, and great. With partners and solutions spanning across the entry mobileity ecosystem, inrix is uniquely positioned at the interaction of technology and transportation – Whorete’s KEEPING OTESARES SAFES SAFES Traffic Signal Timing to Reduce Delay and Greenhouse Gasses, Optimizing Last Mile Delivery, or Helping Uncover Market Insights. Learn more at INRIX.com.

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