VIRGINIA BEACH — This year’s record-breaking, blockbuster summer travel season comes to a close with many Americans exploring Alaska by cruise, according to AAA.
According to the organization’s 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 to go on an Alaska cruise,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “There are fewer crowds compared to earlier in the summer, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors! It’s no surprise Alaska cruises are sold out this Labor Day weekend.”
AAA travel experts say if you’re 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, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 2, and compared those numbers with booking data for that same five-day period in 2023, it said.
Overall domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is up 9% compared to last year, while the cost to travel domestically is down 2%, according to the organization. Other top Labor Day destinations include Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco.
For many families, Labor Day is the last hurrah before school begins, AAA said. To make the most of those trips, it recommends identifying must-see sights and creating a flexible itinerary ahead of time.
“Trip Canvas is a great free resource for travelers in the planning phase,” Twidale said. “You can find free things to do in Denver or the best museums in New York City.”
Travelers taking road trips should expect to pay less for gas compared to last year, when the national average over Labor Day weekend was $3.81. In recent weeks, gas prices have remained steady, hovering around $3.50, it said.
Despite the popularity of summer road trips, overall gas demand is down as daily driving habits have changed post-pandemic, preventing pump prices from spiking. But AAA cautions hurricanes hitting the Gulf and affecting regional refineries could cause gas prices to go up as the peak of the season approaches in September.
International travel over Labor Day weekend is down 4% compared to last year, per AAA booking numbers, while the cost to travel internationally is up 11%. Most of those travelers are heading to Europe. Eight out of the top ten international destinations booked through AAA are European cities.
AAA suggests that travelers renting a car abroad should consider getting an International Driving Permit (IDP), which translates their driver’s license information into 10 languages. Some countries — including Italy and Spain — require it. AAA notes it is the only entity in the U.S. authorized by the State Department to issue an IDP.
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’re 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.
“Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations, and 511 traveler information services may help drivers navigate around congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”
