This year’s record-breaking summer travel season will wrap up with millions of Americans taking a final summer trip over the Labor Day weekend. AAA booking data for flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises shows Labor Day travel is on the rise compared to last year. Domestic travel is up 9% over 2023.
Memorial Day always marks the unofficial start to the summer travel season, and Labor Day marks the unofficial end. The Labor Day weekend is typically a busy travel weekend compared to other weekends in August and September, but the volume is not as high as the other major summer holidays, Memorial Day and Independence Day. With many schools already back in session or starting soon, families tend to take shorter trips that are closer to home over Labor Day. However, those without kids in school often use Labor Day as the kickoff to the fall travel season to take advantage of cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and off-peak pricing. Destinations in Europe are especially popular for these travelers.
Theme parks, shows and concerts in Las Vegas, Alaska cruises, and European cities are very popular this Labor Day. Closer to home, the top regional destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho are Central Oregon, the Oregon Coast, Portland, Eugene and Seattle. AAA booking data shows trips to Seattle are up nearly 30% from last year, in part because Seattle is a major port city for cruises to Alaska. Anchorage is also among the top 10 domestic destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“This is a great time of year to take a cruise to Alaska. Crowds are smaller than earlier in the summer, the weather is still decent, although chillier than in July and August, and you may even see some fall colors,” says Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice president of travel at AAA Oregon/Idaho.
“Most Labor Day travelers will leave on their trips on Thursday or Friday before the holiday, and return home on Labor Day or Tuesday,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “Those taking a Labor Day road trip will find lower gas prices than last year – in fact, the Oregon average is about 90 cents a gallon less than a year ago.”
“AAA can help you get the most out of your trip with Trip Canvas. This free resource can help plan your trip so you can see and do as much as possible,” says Loofburrow. “You can find 25 things to escape the ordinary in Portland, top things to do in Bend, and know about the new FastPass system at Disneyland, to name a few.”
