Overview
- AAA and INRIX issued Labor Day travel forecasts on Aug. 24–25 that warn of heavy travel by car, plane and cruise ship over the Sept. 3–7 holiday weekend.
- AAA reported the national gas average at about $4.09 per gallon on Aug. 24, roughly $0.90 higher than last Labor Day when it was $3.19.
- United projects roughly 3.4 million passengers between Sept. 3 and Sept. 8, a rise of about 300,000 from last year that will increase airport screening and terminal congestion.
- INRIX and AAA released day-by-day driving windows to avoid the worst delays — with the heaviest road traffic expected late Thursday and Friday and the worst return times between 2–5 p.m. on Monday — and they urged vehicle checks and emergency kits for motorists.
- Cruise bookings are in high demand even as average cruise prices are about 4% lower year-over-year, while hotel booking rates are up roughly 9%, a mix that will shift where crowds and service strains show up this holiday.