AAA Texas reveals top travel trends this Labor Day weekend
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — You might not be surprised to learn this year has marked a record-breaking summer travel season.
Then again, you might be surprised to find out where many Americans are heading for Labor Day weekend.
Cruises to Alaska are ranking high on the list, and according to AAA booking data, Seattle is the number one Labor Day weekend destination, up nearly 30% from last year when it also topped the list. Anchorage and Juneau are also on the top ten list of Labor Day destinations.
“This is the time of year many people enjoy cruises to Alaska,” said AAA Texas Vice President and General Manager Galen Grillo. “There are fewer crowds compared to earlier in the summer, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors, so it is no surprise Alaska cruises are sold out this Labor Day weekend.”
AAA travel experts say if you are interested in going on an Alaska cruise next summer, the time to book is now to lock in the best rate and ensure you get the type of cabin you want.
AAA looked at booking data for Thursday, August 29 through Monday, September 2, and compared those numbers with booking data for that same five-day period in 2023. Overall domestic travel bookings this Labor Day weekend are up 9% compared to last year, while the cost to travel domestically is down 2%. As for international travel, AAA bookings show international travel over this Labor Day weekend is down 4% compared to last year, while the cost to travel internationally is up 11%.
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.
Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car over Labor Day Weekend
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says 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 are 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.
Top Labor Day Destinations
DOMESTIC
- Seattle, WA
- Orlando, FL
- Anchorage, AK
- New York, NY
- Boston, MA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Denver, CO
- Chicago, IL
- Juneau, AK
- San Francisco, CA
INTERNATIONAL
- Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Rome, Italy
- London, England
- Paris, France
- Dublin, Ireland
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Barcelona, Spain
- Athens, Greece
- Mexicali, Mexico
- Edinburgh, Scotland