Labor Day weekend travel tips and expectations

QUAD CITIES, Iowa/Illinois (KWQC) – Well, if you are trying to squeeze in one more summer trip, you are not alone. The Labor Day weekend is here… and many are heading out.

Across U.S. airports, the TSA is expecting an 8.5% increase in passenger volume in comparison to last year.

“I can tell you that between Friday and Tuesday of Labor Day 2019, we saw 4100 passengers. In 2023, we had just over 3,500. I would expect this year to fall within that range. For an airport of our size, passengers won’t notice a huge difference. September is typically our slowest month of the year, and we don’t see a huge bump in air travel around this holiday,” Ashleigh Davis, Public Relations and Marketing Manager with Quad Cities International Airport said. “For that reason, there’s no ‘best’ time, and our schedule is stacked intentionally so people can make connections at the large hubs, so mornings, middays, and evenings are the highest concentration of flights, and that’s the same every day. Passengers are advised to arrive 90 minutes to 2 hours prior to their scheduled departure. Ticket counters close usually about 45 minutes prior to the departure time, and doors close 10 minutes prior to departure.”

For those within the Quad Cities not flying but instead getting on the road directly, there is some good news for drivers according to Triple-A… lower prices.

“Davenport gas prices have been hovering around $3.15 over the last couple of weeks, and actually Labor Day of last year gas prices were $3.51, so you are seeing about a 30-cent change in the dynamics of what you are paying at the pump, which is great,” Molly Hart, Public and Government Relations/Spokeswoman at Triple-A, said.

Taking a look at our gas prices close to home… if you are planning on hitting the road this weekend in Iowa, the average is around $3.13 a gallon, and over in Illinois, it is sitting around $3.70. This is according to Triple A.

The record-breaking travel season is coming to an end, but with Labor Day weekend, Triple-A says they are expecting it to end with a bang.

Locally, QCA police departments are also gearing up for a bus weekend ahead.

Some may think that speeding leading to accidents would be at the top of the list of concerns for the police during the Labor Day weekend, but officials tell me that drinking while driving is just as much of a concern if not more, and departments are ready to handle such, but encourages the public to take precautions as well.

“Be prepared for the weekend. Be prepared for the amount of congestion that there is going to be because a lot of people will be traveling and be aware that some people who are driving may be intoxicated, so defensive driving skills are going to be very important for people at this time,” said Sheriff Tim Lane of Scott County.

I also spoke with Shawn Voigts, Police Lieutenant with Davenport Police Department, who re-emphasized that officers will be out in full force on the lookout for not only speeding but intoxicated drivers as well and wants the public to understand the severity of it all.

“We have had quite a few, statistically speaking, very serious or fatal injury accidents over holiday weekends. Fourth of July weekend, Labor Day weekend, things like that where again, the people, hate to say this is usually alcohol involved where they went out to an event, or a party, or something like that. I can not emphasize enough that you know LYFT, UBER, or designated driver. Take advantage of one of those options,” Lieutenant Voigts said.

To reiterate those tips, officials are asking the public to…

• Slow down when driving
• Do not drink and drive
• Wear seatbelts at all times
• Leave early to arrive at your destination in a timely manner
• Expect heavy traffic

Officials went on to say they want the public to enjoy the holiday but to do it safely.

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