Travelers are advised to plan ahead of Labor Day, which falls on September 7, as heavy traffic is expected during peak travel times. According to INRIX, the worst highway travel times will be between 2-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, and noon-8 p.m. on Friday, September 4. An estimated 80% of holiday travelers opt for road trips over flights, but a record-breaking 3.4 million United Airlines passengers are expected to fly between September 3 and 8, which is about 300,000 more than last year. Travelers can expect higher gas prices, with the national average price being around 90 cents higher this time of year compared to last year.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
As the Labor Day weekend approaches on Sept. 7, Americans are expected to hit the roads in large numbers, making it a busy time for travel. The American Automobile Association (AAA) warns that travelers should plan for heavy traffic and higher gas costs during this period. According to transportation analytics firm INRIX, the worst times to drive via highway are from 2-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, and noon-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4. These days are expected to be peak travel times, with minimal traffic expected on Sunday, Sept. 6. For those driving back home on Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day), it's advised to avoid driving between 2-5 p.m. The AAA also recommends checking tire pressure, testing the car battery, and packing emergency supplies before embarking on a road trip.
Written for “Labor Day Travel Preparations” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
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No political leaning scored for article 2359 · logged 2026-08-27
The extended Labor Day weekend has historically been a busy time of year for travel as Americans hit the road for the last bit of summer.
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Americans → hit → summer
The American Automobile Association cautioned travelers to plan for heavy traffic and be aware of higher gas and flight costs ahead of the federal holiday.
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Association → caution → holiday
Labor Day falls on Sept. 7 this year.
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Day → fall → Sept.
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Those traveling by car are encouraged to drive before the holiday traffic gets too congested.
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traffic → travel → car
The worst times to travel via highway are 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, and noon until 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, according to transportation analytics firm INRIX.
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times → travel → INRIX
Those two days are when people will most likely travel.
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people → travel → ?
There is minimal traffic expected on Sunday, Sept. 6, so traveling by car that day will be optimal.
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traveling → be → car
For the trip back home, people are advised to avoid driving between 2 and 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7.
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people → advise → Monday
Drivers are encouraged to check their tire pressure, test their car battery, and pack food and emergency supplies, among other action steps, before leaving for their road trips.
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Drivers → encourage → trips
AAA said it responded to more than 400,000 roadside assistance calls during Labor Day last year.
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it → say → Day
Though AAA has no projection for how many people will drive over the holiday weekend, considerably more people drive than fly per year.
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people → have → year
An estimated 80% of holiday travelers generally opt for road trips rather than flights for Labor Day.
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% → estimate → Day
That said, a record-breaking 3.4 million United Airlines passengers will be traveling between Sept. 3 and 8.
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passengers → say → Sept.
Other major airlines haven’t released their Labor Day travel projections yet.
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airlines → release → projections
More people will be screened at airport security checkpoints.
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people → screen → checkpoints
Last year, the Transportation Security Administration screened an estimated 10.4 million individuals.
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Administration → screen → individuals
Labor Day travel plans will also be more expensive this year, regardless of whether people are driving or flying.
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people → drive → ?
Gas prices and airfares are higher due to the unresolved Iran war, which placed enormous pressure on the global oil market for several months.
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which → place → months
For motorists, the national average gas price is about 90 cents higher this time of year compared to the same time last year.
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price → compare → time
And for airline passengers traveling to the most popular Labor Day weekend destinations, ticket prices are up about 20%.
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prices → travel → destinations
The top international destinations include Rome, Vancouver, London, Dublin, and Paris.
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destinations → include → Rome
Cruises and national parks are the two driving forces for Labor Day travel demand this year, according to AAA.
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Cruises → drive → AAA
