Aug. 30—Record breaking numbers of Americans are expected to travel this Labor Day weekend, flocking to cities from coast to coast.
Labor Day is the “last hurrah before school starts” for many U.S. families, according to AAA with domestic travel up 9% from last year.
For Washington residents, the top destination is Seattle with the number of travelers up by 30% from last year, said AAA Washington’s spokesperson Mellani McAleenan.
This is likely due to the popularity of cruises to Alaska, said McAleenan, which experiences pleasant weather in the late summer.
Drivers looking to hit the road Friday for their Labor Day vacations should aim to leave in the morning, or after 7 p.m. according to the AAA, while Saturday travelers will find the least traffic in the afternoon.
Westbound traffic from Cle Elum to North Bend should expect congestion Sunday between noon and 5 p.m. and Monday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. according to the Washington State Department of Transportation website, while Eastbound traffic from North Bend to Cle Elum should expect congestion Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The current average gas price in Washington is $4.16, down from $5.11 last Labor Day weekend, while Spokane sits at $3.81, down from $4.80, said McAleenan. Idaho gas prices sit at $3.53, down from $4.12 a year ago, according to the AAA Idaho.
Those traveling by car should make sure their tires are full and they have water with them, said McAleenan, as the Inland Northwest expects to see temperatures reach the nineties over the next few days.
Anyone with plans to catch a plane to their next destination should also be sure to arrive early, as Transportation Security Administration agents in Washington expect to see the busiest Labor Day travel period ever, with staffing to support screening over 17 million people, according to a news release.
“People are traveling more than ever this summer and TSA along with our airline and airport partners stand ready to close the busiest summer travel period on record during this upcoming Labor Day weekend,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in the press release.
Furthermore, McAleenan stated that in her personal travels yesterday she experienced her baggage claim slip being handwritten, as airlines struggle to bounce back following the CrowdStrike tech outage that occurred July 19.
As a blanket recommendation, TSA encourages travelers to arrive a minimum of 2 hours prior to their scheduled boarding plan on their website.
McAleenan’s biggest piece of advice for travelers is to “pack their patience,” and expect long lines and heavy traffic everywhere.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
