AS everyone embarks on their last trip of the summer, Labor Day weekend is notorious for having some of the worst traffic conditions of the year.
But if your road trip is planned for certain times, delays may be able to be avoided.
Many are trying to get their last summer trip in before fall[/caption]
Heavy traffic is expected on the holiday weekend[/caption]
Traveling at certain times may avoid delays[/caption]
The best time to hit the road, according to data, is before lunchtime.
According to INRIX, a transportation insights company, traffic conditions get much worse during the day, meaning that morning time is the best bet.
On Thursday, August 28, the best time to hit the streets is before 1 pm, with the brunt of the traffic hitting between 1 pm to 8 pm.
That Friday, August 29, the company recommends leaving earlier, as 12 pm to 8 pm will have the worst congestion.
On Saturday, they recommend to travel between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., as after that, conditions are expected to get much worse.
“Saturday is expected to be extra busy with many drivers heading out of town or taking day trips.”
“[F]or those hitting the road on Saturday, the earlier, the better,” AAA wrote.
Luckily, the worst of it is expected to be over at around 6 p.m.
For Sunday, August 31, experts recommend leaving before 11 am.
On Monday, September 1, they say to travel by 12 pm.
“While some people are going on dream cruises or European vacations, many travelers are staying closer to home and taking road trips to nearby beaches or national parks,” Stacey Barber, the vice president of AAA Travel, said.
“Labor Day caps off summer travel and provides one final holiday weekend before the fall routine begins.”
One glimmer of hope can be found in travel prices this year, which are down from 2024.
Flights, hotels, and car rentals are all down domestically since this time last year.
Things to keep in mind when renting a car
According to The Boston Globe, every person renting a car should take a few minutes to check some boxes before committing to a rental car.
- Keep in mind that rental companies are responsible for keeping cars mechanically sound. If you’re ever in a situation where you have to wait longer than 90 minutes for a tow truck, they advise to leave the keys in the rental and demand a refund as long as other transportation options are available (such as a ride from a friend, Uber, or Lyft)
- Be cautious about roadside assistance packages. Most packages cover instances like leaving keys in the car or running out of gas, but any mechanical issues are on the company.
- An accident, though, is the renter’s responsibility and will be charged to your insurance, not the company’s.
- Certain memberships, like AAA or AARP, may get you a discount on rentals.
- Some companies offer insurance for a small fee, though you’re already covered by your personal insurance. Before declining rental insurance, it may be wise to double-check that your insurance is covering the rental.
- Perform a visual inspection of the car before leaving the lot to protect yourself from damage claims from the company.
- When returning the car, make sure the gas level is as close to the same level as when you first drove off to avoid a refueling charge.
- Research different rental companies before committing to one. Some may have better reviews or warranties than others.
- Keep all contact via email or text in case a claim needs to be made later.
- If you see any scratches or dents on the vehicle, be sure to take pictures with a time and date stamp to avoid damage claims.
Source: The Boston Globe
Car rentals in particular are down 3% compared to last Labor Day weekend, according to AAA.
Hertz said that its busiest booking day this holiday is for Friday, August 29 — the day that’s already predicted to be one of the busiest travel days of the entire weekend.
The top destinations for those rentals are Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
Gas prices are down, too.
The travel company said that the summer gas rates are down to 2021 levels.
Last year, Labor Day’s national average per gallon price was $3.33.
The average on Tuesday, August 26, was $3.18.
All domestic travel options are down in price from this time last year[/caption]
The busiest day is expected to be Friday, August 29[/caption]
