As Labor Day weekend winds down, travelers are being urged to plan their return trips carefully to avoid traffic congestion and weather-related delays.
Why It Matters
Labor Day is a federal holiday that celebrates the American labor movement and the contributions of workers. It also marks the unofficial end of summer, and millions of Americans are expected to return home from holiday getaways.
What To Know
The best times to hit the road are early in the day, with peak congestion expected midday on Monday. Weather conditions in parts of the South and Southwest are expected to further complicate travel, with flooding rain and thunderstorms forecasted through Monday. American Automobile Association (AAA) spokesman Jim Garrity advised motorists to adjust travel times and stay alert for safety hazards.
AAA recommends departing before 11 a.m. local time on Sunday and before noon on Monday to avoid the heaviest traffic. The worst travel periods are expected to be between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday and between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday. Delays may extend into Tuesday as late travelers return.
The FOX Forecast Center warns of flooding rain across the southern Plains, deep South, and Southwest due to a stalled cold front. Repeated rounds of storms are expected through Monday, affecting travel in states like Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona.
Heavy rain is forecast from Nebraska and Kansas into Iowa and Missouri, with showers continuing into the Tennessee Valley. Travelers in these regions should monitor local forecasts and prepare for wet road conditions.
Florida is experiencing a weather pattern with multiple rounds of thunderstorms expected over the coming days. Drivers should anticipate slow travel and potential delays due to waterlogged roads.
Meanwhile, domestic travel remains affordable, with lower prices for flights, rental cars, and hotels compared to the same period last year. Gas prices are rising slightly but remain below 2020 levels, with West Virginia averaging $2.90 to $3.10 per gallon.
Garrity emphasized the importance of move-over laws and warned of an increase in reports of impaired driving. He urged travelers to plan for safe transportation, especially if celebrating over the holiday.
What People Are Saying
AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Jim Garrity said: “On Sunday, you could see it slow down a little bit, and then it heats back up again on Monday when people are all coming home at once, and even into Tuesday a little bit.”
He added: “Prices on plane tickets, prices on rental cars, and prices on hotels are all lower domestically, and that’s giving people a little bit more of a reason to head out to the airport.”
What Happens Next?
As travelers return home, traffic and weather conditions will remain fluid through Monday evening. Scattered storms are expected to reemerge in the Southeast by late afternoon, potentially impacting final legs of travel. Motorists are advised to stay flexible, monitor forecasts, and prioritize safety.
The post Labor Day Travel: Best and Worst Times to Hit the Road appeared first on Newsweek.
