As summer comes to an end, many of us travelers are taking advantage of the last long holiday weekend of the season with getaways to National Parks, popular cities in the USA and Europe, and cruises.
AAA booking data shows Seattle, Orlando, Boston, Denver, and New York are the top domestic destinations, while Rome, Vancouver, London, Dublin, and Paris top the international list.
This is also the time of year when savvy travelers begin planning vacations for next spring and summer.
AAA’s Top Labor Day Weekend Destinations
RANKING | DOMESTIC | INTERNATIONAL |
1 | SEATTLE, WA | ROME, ITALY |
2 | ORLANDO, FL | VANCOUVER, CANADA |
3 | BOSTON, MA | LONDON, ENGLAND |
4 | DENVER, CO | DUBLIN, IRELAND |
5 | PARIS, FRANCE | |
6 | CHICAGO, IL | CALGARY, CANADA |
7 | ANAHEIM/LOS ANGELES, CA | BARCELONA, SPAIN |
8 | ATHENS, GREECE | |
9 | ANCHORAGE, AK | AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS |
10 | ATLANTA, GA | HALIFAX, CANADA |
The Great Outdoors
Labor Day weekend travelers are looking to squeeze the most out of the unofficial end of summer.
Mild temperatures and longer days mean many travelers opt to explore the great outdoors.
AAA bookings show that Seattle, Anchorage, and Vancouver are all top destinations, and there’s a common thread: Alaska cruises.
AAA travel agents say U.S. National Parks are popular this time of year, with many travelers renting cars in Denver and Las Vegas and driving to Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches, Zion, and Grand Canyon.
AAA car rental partner Hertz says Friday, September 4 will be the busiest pick-up day.
In addition to Denver and Las Vegas, Hertz says Orlando, Los Angeles, and Boston also have high car rental demand during Labor Day weekend.
History and Culture
Whether it’s learning about U.S. history in Boston and Chicago or visiting ancient ruins in Rome and Athens, many Labor Day weekend travelers are seeking an educational experience.
AAA travel agents say many members choose to explore historical cities, especially in Europe, with a guided tour.
The planned itineraries, meals, and transportation offer peace of mind for travelers who don’t want to spend time researching and booking trips on their own.
Domestic vs. International
Whether travelers choose domestic versus international trips depends on their budget, schedule, and interests.
Labor Day weekend travelers who are staying in the U.S. are paying 2% more for roundtrip flights compared to last year, averaging $750 per ticket.
The price is even higher for people who are traveling to the top domestic destinations. AAA booking data shows those flights are 20% higher than last year, averaging nearly $800 per ticket.
International flights are 4% cheaper this Labor Day weekend, averaging $1,240 per ticket.
Hitting the Road
For travelers taking road trips, gas prices are higher this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.19 on Labor Day in 2025 when crude oil prices were lower. Before hitting the road, AAA recommends checking your tires, battery, and fluids to ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition.
Packing an emergency kit with water, snacks, first-aid supplies, and essential tools like flashlights and jumper cables is also important.
Last Labor Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 400,000 roadside assistance calls for flat tires, dead batteries, and emergency towing.
Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car over Labor Day Weekend
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says unlike longer holiday periods, travel over Labor Day weekend tends to be concentrated within a short window.
Many travelers will hit the road after work on Thursday or during the day on Friday.
That will bring holiday traffic onto roads that are already carrying normal commuter volumes.
INRIX recommends departing early, allowing additional time, and avoiding the middle of the afternoon whenever possible. Even leaving an hour or two earlier can make a meaningful difference.
Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car | ||
Date | Best Travel Time | Worst Travel Time |
Thursday, September 3 | Before 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
Friday, September 4 | Before 12:00 PM | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
Saturday, September 5 | Before 10:00 AM | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Sunday, September 6 | Minimal Traffic Impact Expected |
|
Monday, September 7 | Before 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Peak Congestion by Metro | ||||
Metro | Route | Peak Congestion | Est. Time | Increase Over Normal |
Atlanta | Atlanta to Birmingham via I-20 W | Monday 7:30 PM | 3 hours 18 minutes | 65% |
Boston | Boston to Providence via I-95 S | Friday 3:30 PM | 1 hour 32 minutes | 105% |
Chicago | Indianapolis to Chicago via I-65 N | Friday 5:15 PM | 5 hours 16 minutes | 76% |
Denver | Denver to Fort Collins via I-25 N | Thursday 12:00 PM | 1 hour 39 minutes | 81% |
Detroit | Detroit to Grand Rapids via I-96 W | Thursday 4:45 PM | 3 hours 28 minutes | 37% |
Houston | Galveston to Houston via I-45 N | Thursday 5:00 PM | 1 hour 25 minutes | 39% |
Los Angeles | Los Angeles to San Diego via I-5 S | Friday 6:00 PM | 5 hours 19 minutes | 75% |
Minneapolis | Minneapolis to Brainerd via US-169 N | Thursday 4:15 PM | 3 hours 34 minutes | 32% |
New York | New York to Jersey Shore via Garden St Pkwy S | Thursday 4:15 PM | 2 hours 23 minutes | 68% |
Philadelphia | Baltimore to Philadelphia via I-95 N | Friday 11:00 AM | 3 hours 14 minutes | 57% |
Portland | Eugene to Portland via I-5 N | Friday 3:00 PM | 3 hours 6 minutes | 77% |
San Diego | San Diego to Palm Springs via I-15 N | Thursday 5:45 PM | 4 hours 12 minutes | 50% |
San Francisco | San Francisco to Sacramento via I-80 E | Friday 5:45 PM | 4 hours 40 minutes | 81% |
Seattle | Seattle to Ellensburg via I-90 E | Monday 7:15 PM | 3 hours 14 minutes | 121% |
Tampa | Tampa to Orlando via I-4 E | Friday 3:45 PM | 2 hours 56 minutes | 65% |
Washington, DC | Baltimore to Washington, DC via Balt/Wash Pkwy S | Thursday 4:45 PM | 1 hour 24 minutes | 90% |
Survey Info
AAA looked at booking data for Thursday, September 3 through Monday, September 7, and compared those numbers with booking data for that same five-day holiday period in 2025.
About AAA
Founded in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts advocating for better roads and safer mobility, AAA provides world-class roadside assistance, travel planning, exclusive discounts, and reliable financial and insurance services. Today, AAA enhances the life journey of more than 66 million members across North America, including over 58 million in the United States. \
About INRIX
Founded in 2004, INRIX pioneered intelligent mobility solutions by transforming big data from connected devices and vehicles into mobility insights. By empowering cities, businesses, and people with valuable insights, INRIX is helping to make the world smarter, safer, and greener.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emerita of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
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