This is the worst time to travel during Labor Day weekend, according to AAA

Sure, everyone knows that death and taxes are unavoidable. But so, too, is Labor Day traffic. But at least this year, eager Labor Day travelers looking for one last long summer weekend have a fighting chance of minimizing the amount of time spent staring at brake lights while on the road thanks to some expert advice about when not to drive over the holiday weekend.

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According to a report from AAA and transportation data provider INRIX, the worst time to drive during Labor Day weekend is, well, any time in the afternoons of Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4. That’s when holiday travelers will pile onto roads already clogged with regular commuters, creating a particularly unpleasant snarl.

The official traffic danger zones are 2pm to 7pm on Thursday and noon to 8pm on Friday. Saturday’s drivers should try to avoid getting on the road between 1pm and 5pm on September 5, while Monday's return traffic is expected to be heaviest between 2pm and 5pm on September 6. 

The traffic headaches are part of a broader, expensive Labor Day travel picture. AAA says domestic flights are averaging about $750 round trip, while flights to the most popular domestic destinations are nearly 20-percent more expensive than last year. Hotel prices are also up, with U.S. hotels 9-percent more expensive than in 2025 and international hotels about 12-percent more than last year. One bright note: Cruises departing from U.S. ports are slightly cheaper.

For those travelers embarking on road trips, traffic be damned, AAA also recommends checking your tires, battery and fluid levels before leaving and packing an emergency kit with water, snacks, a flashlight and jumper cables. Last Labor Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 400,000 roadside-assistance calls. That's a lot of flat tires. 

So yes, you can still squeeze in that final summer escape. Just leave early, avoid Friday afternoon and remember: Labor Day is supposed to be relaxing. Or just stay home and start getting ahead on Thanksgiving travel plans. Either way, though, at least we get one extra week of summer this year, even if some of it is spent in traffic.