WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to AAA booking data, Seattle, Washington, ranked as the No. 1 Labor Day weekend destination, up nearly 30 percent from last year when it also topped the list. Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska, are also on the top 10 list of Labor Day destinations.
“This is the time of year to go on an Alaska cruise,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. “There are fewer crowds compared to earlier in the summer, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors. It’s no surprise Alaska cruises are sold out this Labor Day weekend.”
AAA booking data reported overall domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is up 9 percent compared to last year, while the cost to travel domestically is down 2 percent. Other top Labor Day destinations include Orlando, Florida; New York, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Las Vegas, Nevada; Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; and San Francisco, California.
For many families, Labor Day is the last hurrah before school begins. To make the most of those trips, AAA recommends identifying must-see sights and creating a flexible itinerary ahead of time.
Travelers taking road trips should expect to pay less for gas compared to last year. The national average over Labor Day weekend in 2023 was $3.81. In recent weeks, gas prices have remained steady, hovering around $3.50. Despite the popularity of summer road trips, overall gas demand is down as daily driving habits have changed post-pandemic, preventing pump prices from spiking. Hurricanes hitting the Gulf and affecting regional refineries could cause gas prices to go up as the peak of the season approaches in September.
International travel over Labor Day weekend is down 4 percent compared to last year, per AAA booking numbers, while the cost to travel internationally is up 11 percent. Most of those travelers are heading to Europe. Eight out of the top 10 international destinations booked through AAA are European cities.
Top Domestic Labor Day Destinations
- Seattle, Washington
- Orlando, Florida
- Anchorage, Alaska
- New York, New York
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Denver, Colorado
- Chicago, Illinois
- Juneau, Alaska
- San Francisco, California
Top International Labor Day Destinations
- Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Rome, Italy
- London, England
- Paris, France
- Dublin, Ireland
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Barcelona, Spain
- Athens, Greece
- Mexicali, Mexico
- Edinburgh, Scotland
INRIX reported car travelers should avoid the afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, as those times will be the most congested. Drivers should hit the road in the morning unless they’re leaving on Saturday when the best time to travel by car is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and on Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic in the afternoon.
“Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations, and 511 traveler information services may help drivers navigate around congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”
