Travel Days: Busiest Labor Day Weekend

what are the busiest travel days for labor day

The Friday before and the Monday of Labor Day weekend are the busiest travel days, with the Saturday after being the least crowded. This is especially true for air travel, with nearly 3 million travellers expected on the Friday. For road trips, the Thursday afternoon before Labor Day and the Friday are the busiest, with traffic expected to take up to 115% longer than usual. The Tuesday after the long weekend is projected to be less crowded, with Saturday and Sunday being the lightest travel days.

Characteristics Values
Busiest days for airport traffic Friday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Sept. 4
Least crowded days to travel Tuesday before and Saturday after Labor Day
Least busy time to drive Early in the morning or in the evening
Worst time to drive Thursday, Aug. 31, between mid-afternoon and early evening

quartzmountain

Friday before Labor Day is the busiest travel day

Friday before Labor Day: The Busiest Travel Day

If you're planning to travel for Labor Day, get ready for some company. With the holiday marking the unofficial end of summer in the US, it's no surprise that many people will be taking advantage of the long weekend and hitting the road or jetting off to a vacation destination.

Data shows that the Friday before Labor Day is typically the busiest travel day, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reporting a record-breaking number of passengers on this day in previous years. In 2023, the Friday before July 4th saw a new record of over 2.88 million people passing through TSA checkpoints, and the same trend is expected for Labor Day.

For those driving, expect heavier traffic on Friday, September 1, especially from late morning to night. The Thursday before Labor Day will also be congested, particularly between 4-6 pm, as commuters and holiday travelers mix.

If you're flying, the Friday before Labor Day is projected to be the peak of air traffic, with nearly 3 million travelers expected. This day consistently ranks among the top 25 busiest air travel days of the year.

To avoid the crowds and potentially save on airfares, travelers can consider leaving earlier in the week or returning later, as the Tuesday before and Saturday after Labor Day tend to be less busy.

So, if you're looking for a quieter travel experience, it might be best to avoid joining the masses on the Friday before Labor Day.

quartzmountain

Saturday after Labor Day is the least busy

If you're looking to avoid the crowds this Labor Day, it's best to steer clear of travelling on the Friday before and the Monday that is Labor Day. These are typically the busiest days for airport traffic, as flyers rush to jet off to their destinations and then return home.

So, when is the best time to travel? Well, data suggests that the Saturday after Labor Day is the least busy travel day. This is because most people want to make the most of the long weekend and so depart on the Friday and return on the Monday, leaving Saturday as a quieter travel day.

If you can, try to book your travel for the Tuesday before or the Saturday after Labor Day. These days tend to be much less crowded and could also save you money. By travelling on these days, you can avoid the rush and have a more relaxed start or end to your holiday.

Another tip is to opt for a morning flight on the Saturday after Labor Day. According to travel booking site Hopper's Flight Disruption Outlook for Spring 2023, flights departing after 9 a.m. are twice as likely to be delayed as those scheduled from 5-8 a.m. So, if you want to avoid potential delays, an early morning start is a good idea.

So, if you're looking for a quieter travel experience this Labor Day, the Saturday after the holiday is definitely the way to go.

quartzmountain

Thursday afternoon is a busy time to travel

In general, Thursdays are one of the busiest days for travel, as they are often popular with business travellers who are starting a trip before the weekend. This means that Thursday afternoons can be particularly hectic, with both business and leisure travellers trying to get away.

If you're planning to travel on a Thursday afternoon, it's a good idea to expect crowds and leave plenty of extra time to account for potential delays. It might also be worth considering alternative travel days, such as Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays, which tend to be quieter.

For example, if you're planning a trip over the Labor Day weekend, you might want to consider leaving on the Tuesday or Wednesday before, or even the Saturday after the holiday. These days tend to be less crowded and can offer a more relaxed travel experience.

According to data from AAA, the Thursday before Labor Day tends to be one of the busiest days for travel, with many people taking advantage of the long weekend. The Friday before Labor Day is also a popular day to travel, making it one of the busiest days of the year at airports.

So, if you're looking to avoid the crowds, it might be best to avoid travelling on Thursdays, especially in the afternoon when things tend to get busy. By choosing a different travel day, you can enjoy a more relaxed and crowd-free journey.

quartzmountain

Tuesday before and Saturday after are the least busy days

If you're looking to avoid the crowds when travelling for Labor Day, the Tuesday before and the Saturday after the long weekend are your best bets for the least busy travel days.

Data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) shows that the Friday before Labor Day has been the busiest single day to fly over each of the past four years. The same data shows that the Tuesday before and Saturday after are the least crowded days to travel.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds, it's best to book travel on days that aren't the start and end of the long weekend. While most people will depart on Friday and return on Monday, you can avoid the crowds and likely save money by travelling on the Tuesday or Wednesday before, or the Saturday after the long weekend.

For those travelling by car, the best times to be on the road over Labor Day weekend are early in the morning or in the evening. The worst times to be driving are between noon and 8 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday and Monday.

So, if you're looking to avoid the rush this Labor Day, plan your travel for the Tuesday before or the Saturday after the long weekend, and try to be off the road during the peak times in the late mornings and early evenings.

Summer Travel Rush Begins on July 3rd

You may want to see also

quartzmountain

Sunday is a good day to travel with minimal traffic

If you're planning a trip for Labor Day, you should be prepared to encounter bigger crowds than usual. According to AAA booking data, travel for the Labor Day weekend is up by 4% for domestic bookings and a significant 44% for international bookings compared to 2022.

Most people will want to make the most of the long weekend, so you can expect heavy traffic on the Thursday and Friday before Labor Day, with things getting particularly busy from mid-afternoon to early evening.

However, Sunday is likely to see minimal traffic impacts. So, if you want to avoid getting stuck in traffic, this is the best day to travel.

  • Wednesday: Before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Thursday: Before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Friday: Before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Saturday: After 6 p.m.
  • Monday: After 7 p.m.

The worst times to be on the road are:

  • Wednesday: Between noon and 8 p.m.
  • Thursday: Between noon and 8 p.m.
  • Friday: Between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
  • Saturday: Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Monday: Between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

If you're flying, the Friday before Labor Day and the Monday of Labor Day weekend tend to be the busiest days at the airport. To avoid the crowds, consider flying on the Tuesday or Wednesday before the weekend or on the Saturday after.

Frequently asked questions

The Friday before Labor Day and the Monday of Labor Day are the busiest travel days.

The Sunday after Labor Day.

The Tuesday before Labor Day.

The Saturday after Labor Day.

Monday, Labor Day.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment