Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News / Getty Images
The Labor Day weekend is just about here! School has been back for a couple of weeks, and some families need a break and want to get away. A last blast of summer.
So if you’re planning to take a trip for the Labor Day holiday, experts say to prepare yourself for bigger crowds than those you may have seen in 2022. According to AAA booking data, more folks are traveling compared to Labor Day last year. Domestic bookings for flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises are 4% higher.
For those hitting the road, you can expect to see a lot of traffic always, but how bad it will be all depends on when you’re driving. Transportation analytics company INRIX notes that Sunday, September 3rd will see minimal traffic congestion and recommends the best times to travel by car over the weekend are early in the morning or in the evening. The key to avoiding traffic is avoiding peak hours on the road, and the best times to drive over Labor Day weekend are:
Wednesday, August 30th - Before 7am
Thursday, August 31st - Before 7am
Friday, September 1st - Before 11am
Saturday, September 2nd - After 6pm
Monday, September 4th - After 7pm
As for the worst times to be on the road, the most traffic is expected on Thursday, August 31st from mid-afternoon to early evening and on Friday, September 1st from late morning to night. “If you must travel during heavy traffic, navigation apps and local departments of transportation can help steer drivers around long delays,” recommends Bob Pishue, transportation analyst for INRIX. Other bad times for driving on the holiday weekend include:
Wednesday, August 30th - Between Noon and 8pm
Thursday, August 31st - Between Noon and 8pm
Friday, September 1st - Between 11am and 9pm
Saturday, September 2nd - Between 10am and 4pm
Monday, September 4th - Between 10am and 6pm
Read more from USA Today HERE.