Video: These holidays take place in autumn
When is fall break? Here is the list of fall holidays, including Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving.
As New Yorkers plan one last trip before the kids go back to school, you may be wondering the best and worst times to travel to your destination over Labor Day weekend and back again.
This Labor Day weekend, AAA’s Labor Day Travel Trends report indicates that overall domestic travel is up 9% year over year, and domestic travel costs are down 2%. And if you plan on driving, you’ll likely pay less for gas than last year, with gas prices hovering around $3.50, up from $3.81 in 2023.
“For many families, Labor Day is the last hurrah before school starts,” says AAA. “To get the most out of these trips, AAA recommends identifying the top attractions and creating a flexible itinerary in advance.”
Here’s what you should know:
Where are the most popular travel destinations on Labor Day?
New York City ranks high on AAA’s list of the top 10 Labor Day weekend destinations in the United States for 2024, coming in fourth behind Seattle (WA), Orlando (FL) and Anchorage (AK).
Here is AAA’s list of the top 10 Labor Day weekend travel destinations in the U.S. this year:
- Seattle, Washington
- Orlando, Florida
- Alaska
- New York, New York
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Denver, Colorado
- Chicago, Illinois
- Juneau, Alaska
- San Francisco, California
What is the best and worst time to drive on Labor Day weekend 2024?
According to transportation data and information provider INRIX, avoid traveling during the afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, but if you plan to leave on Saturday, travel in the afternoon.
If you are returning home on Sunday or Labor Day, it is best to leave as early as possible to avoid heavy afternoon traffic.
“Drivers should expect the worst congestion before the holiday weekend as commuters mingle with travelers,” said Bob Pishue, traffic analyst at INRIX. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations and 511 travel information services can help drivers avoid congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”
According to AAA and INRIX, these are the best and worst times to drive this Labor Day weekend:
Best times to leave
- Thursday, August 29: Before 11am
- Friday, August 30: Morning, after 7 p.m.
- Saturday, August 31: Afternoon
Worst times to leave
- Thursday, August 29: 1:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
- Friday, August 30: 2–6 p.m.
- Saturday, August 31: 8-11am
Best times to return
- Sunday, Sept. 1: Morning
- Monday, September 2: Before 10am
- Tuesday, Sept. 3: After 1 p.m.
Worst times to return
- Sunday, Sept. 1: 2–8 p.m.
- Monday, September 2: 11am–8pm
- Tuesday, September 3: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
When is Labor Day 2024?: Date, meaning and why we celebrate
What are the best days of the week to fly this Labor Day weekend?
Here are the best and worst days to fly on Labor Day weekend, according to NerdWallet.com. This list is based on an average of the last four years. The days are listed in order from busiest to least busy day of Labor Day week.
- Friday before Labor Day (most visited)
- Labor Day (Monday)
- Sunday after
- Thursday before
- Friday after
- Monday after
- Thursday after
- Monday before
- Tuesday after
- Sunday before
- Saturday before
- Wednesday before
- Wednesday after
- Saturday after
- Tuesday before (least crowded)
Contributor: USA TODAY Network Florida reporter Lianna Norman
Emily Barnes is the New York State team’s consumer protection reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Contact us at [email protected].
