The Labor Day holiday travel period is approaching fast, and
AAA booking data suggests cruising to Alaska and flying to Seattle are two of
the most popular options for 2024.
According to AAA, overall domestic travel over Labor Day
weekend is expected to increase by nine percent compared to last year, while
domestic travel costs are down two percent.
“This is the time of year to go on an Alaska cruise,” AAA
Travel Senior Vice President Paula Twidale said. “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.”
As for international travel, demand is down four percent compared
to last year, while the cost to travel internationally is up 11 percent. Around
80 percent of the top ten international destinations booked through AAA are
European cities.
Travelers taking road trips should expect to pay less for
gas than last year, as the national average over Labor Day weekend in 2023 was
$3.81. In recent weeks, gas prices have remained steady, hovering around $3.50.
AAA ranked the top domestic Labor Day destinations, with Seattle
ranking first, up nearly 30 percent from last year. Orlando, Anchorage, New
York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and Juneau rounded out the Top 10.
As for international travel, AAA found Vancouver was the top
holiday destination for 2024, followed by Rome, London, Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam,
Barcelona, Athens, Mexicali, and Edinburgh.
For travelers driving to their destinations, AAA and
transportation data provider INRIX said they should avoid the congestion in the
afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday. Drivers should leave
in the morning unless they depart on Saturday, when the best time to travel by
car is in the afternoon.
“Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before
the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers,” INRIX transportation
analyst Bob Pishue said. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations, and 511
traveler information services may help drivers navigate around congestion and
reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”
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