AAA Reveals Labor Day Travel Trends for 2024 – exploreClarion

Monday, September 2, is Labor Day, which is known as the unofficial end of summer.

This year’s booking trends show strong interest to destinations worldwide, specifically Europe. International travel over Labor Day weekend is 11% higher than last year, per AAA data. Eight out of the top ten international destinations booked through AAA are European cities.

“While road trips are still the most popular Labor Day getaway, many people are taking advantage of the long weekend and planning something extra special,” says Bevi Powell, senior vice president, AAA East Central. “Trips to Europe come in many forms, including river cruises and small group tours, and all are unforgettable.”

Travelers renting a car abroad should consider getting an International Driving Permit (IDP), which translates their driver’s license information into 10 languages. Some countries – including Italy and Spain – require it. AAA is the only entity in the U.S. authorized by the State Department to issue an IDP.

According to AAA booking data, Seattle is the number one Labor Day weekend* destination overall, up nearly 30% from last year when it also topped the list. Top Labor Day destinations also include Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco.

To make the most of any trip, AAA recommends identifying must-see sights and creating a flexible itinerary ahead of time. Trip Canvas is a great free resource for travelers who are still in the planning phase.

Gas Prices Expected to be Lower than Last Year

Americans taking road trips should expect to pay less for gas compared to last year. The national average over Labor Day weekend in 2023 was $3.81. In recent weeks, gas prices have remained steady, hovering around $3.40. Despite the popularity of summer road trips, overall gas demand is down as daily driving habits have changed post-pandemic, preventing pump prices from spiking. For drivers taking road trips in their electric vehicles, AAA offers information on the cost of Level 2 commercial EV charging and updates that data weekly.

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

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says car travelers should avoid the afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, as those times will be the most congested. Drivers should hit the road in the morning unless they’re leaving on Saturday when the best time to travel by car is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and on Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic in the afternoon.

“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 congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”

*Labor Day Weekend

AAA looked at booking data for Thursday, August 29 through Monday, September 2, and compared those numbers with booking data for that same five-day period in 2023.