O’Hare, Midway airports, roads expecting busy Labor Day weekend travel day

CHICAGO (WLS) — If you are hitting the road for the long Labor Day weekend, expect a lot of company!

The end-of-summer Labor Day weekend travel rush is on at O’Hare.

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“It feels really fast,” Candace Weiner, who is traveling to Las Vegas, said. “So I’m very happy. The traffic out there and the accidents, let me tell ya.”

The TSA preparing to screen millions across the country while here at home airport officials say *1.4 million travelers are expected to pass through O’Hare during the Labor Day weekend period.

“Be patient and be kind,” Emmy Szymaszek said. “Everyone is doing their best.”

Long lines could be seen during the early morning travel rush and a temporary ground stop halted air traffic.

“We’re probably two and a half hours early,” Walker Harris, who is traveling to Hawaii, said. “We have some old friends who are going to meet us here.”

But, the busiest day at O’Hare isn’t Friday, it’s Monday – Labor Day.

Travelers Friday morning with good advice for those getting ready to fly this weekend.

“Get here on time,” Enrique Espinal, who is traveling to Las Vegas, said. “Make sure you are checked in. They have apps and all these things to kind of help you get ahead of the game now.”

“Just be safe, cautious,” Rosa Mary Stansbury, who is traveling to San Antonio, said. “Make sure you keep your belongings near you and arrive on time. Be cautious with your time because we already had a delay.”

At Midway, airport officials there say Friday is going to be the busiest day of the holiday weekend, with nearly 60,000 people expected to pass through. That’s a three percent increase from last year.

But, let’s not forget all the millions planning to drive to their Labor Day destinations.

AAA says drivers can expect to pay less this year, compared to Labor Day last year, with the national average hovering at around $3.50.

SEE ALSO: Labor Day traffic and travel: Best and worst times to drive and fly

“Typically with any holiday 85-90 percent of travelers go by car it’s the most convenient and likely the most cost effective for a family,” Jana Tidwell of AAA said.

If you are planning on hitting the roads Friday, AAA says the best time to leave is before noon. You can expect the worst traffic this afternoon and evening.