Record travel on Labor Day weekend caps off busy season

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – In many ways, this Labor Day weekend has been an exclamation point to one of the busiest summers of travel on record.

Millions have taken to the roads and the skies for one last summer excursion and there has been a growing theory that people have been itching to get out and travel after being kept inside during the pandemic.

The TSA reported a record number of travelers for Labor Day weekend.

“Travel is back, especially this Labor Day [weekend] where TSA expects to screen over 17 million people. We expected August 30th to be our most busy day where we expected to screen over 2.86 million people,” said TSA spokesperson Sonny Lorrius.

TSA reported their record expected numbers were between Thursday, August 29 through Wednesday, September 4.

These numbers play a part in a growing trend of the busiest travel summer ever. All ten of the top ten travel days ever recorded by TSA have occurred since May of 2024.

The longer lines make more work for TSA, who have been trying to balance safety and security with providing a great traveler experience.

“We definitely work with our airline and industry partners to make sure that happens. We’re getting the word out to have passengers show up prepared,” Lorrius explained.

While record numbers have been flying, between 85 and 90 percent of travelers drive and gas prices slowly dropping has provided more incentive to hit the road.

In South Dakota, gas prices are more than fifty cents per gallon cheaper than they were a year ago.

“It’s important that drivers remember that their vehicle can break down just as easily over Labor Day weekend as it can at any time of year and that they take every precaution to ensure that their cars are road-ready. During Labor Day weekend 2023, AAA emergency roadside service crews responded to more than 300 calls for assistance in South Dakota,” said AAA South Dakota spokesperson Shawn Steward.

Before the weekend, AAA projected that domestic travel over Labor Day weekend would increase by nine percent compared to last year, while the cost of travel is lower by two percent.

“AAA urges Labor Day weekend road-trippers to pack their patience and be prepared for extra congestion on the highways and around recreation or tourist areas,” AAA said in a release, concerning returning on Monday night.

While it’s too early to tell, this trend of some of the highest travel numbers ever might mean people should plan ahead for holiday travel at the end of the year.

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