AAA: Labor Day travel bookings up 9% after record-breaking summer

If you’re planning to hit the road this Labor Day, you won’t be alone. According to AAA, this year’s record-breaking summer travel season is about to give way to an overall increase in domestic travel for the upcoming holiday weekend.

Data collected by AAA on travel booking shows that overall domestic travel for Labor Day is expected to be up 9% compared to last year, while the cost to travel within the United States has decreased by 2%. Data also shows that while people are making plans to spend the weekend in the more common travel destinations such as Orlando, New York, Las Vegas and Boston, this year’s number one destination is Seattle, which is up more than 30% from last year. Other top destinations this year include Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska.

“This is the time of year to go on an Alaska cruise,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a press release. “There are fewer crowds compared to earlier in the summer, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors! It’s no surprise Alaska cruises are sold out this Labor Day weekend.”

While more people are expected to travel domestically, international travel is down 4%, AAA booking data shows. Meanwhile, the cost to travel internationally has increased by 11%, with most travelers heading to European cities.

AAA says travelers will also be paying less for gas compared to last year. In 2023, the national average for gas during Labor Day weekend was $3.81 while this year, prices have remained steady and are expected to hover around $3,50, according to a statement released by AAA. The association added that overall gas demand has dropped since the pandemic, due to changes in driving habits. This has, in turn, helped prevent prices from spiking at the pump. That could change, however, if hurricanes impact the Gulf states and affect regional refineries.

Drivers preparing for a road trip should also take timing into considering. According to AAA transportation data suggests that people traveling by car should avoid the afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday at the start of Labor Day weekend, when most of the road congestion is expected. For the trip back home, leaving as early as possible on Sunday or Labor Day is suggested to avoid the bulk of the traffic.

“Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, said in a statement. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations, and 511 traveler information services may help drivers navigate around congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”