The summer travel season is going out with a bang, as thousands of people are expected to hit the roads and fly the skies toward their Labor Day Weekend destinations.
In a recent AAA report, the company is warning drivers about heavy traffic going into the weekend. Interstate 40 in North Carolina is one of the busiest roads during most holidays.
Saturday is expected to be the busiest travel day.
AAA said the best time to leave to avoid the most traffic is between 6 and 10 a.m. The worst time to leave is anytime after 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
“If your travel plans allow you to leave earlier in the day, that’s when you’re going to have probably the least amount of congestion, but it’s going to be crowded out there,” said Tiffany Write with AAA. “Let’s face it, especially in your big metro areas, especially around tourist attractions, around airports.”
Orlando, New York, Boston, Atlanta and Miami are some of the top Labor Day travel destinations on the East Coast, according to AAA.
Labor Day weekend is also a popular time for people to hit the beach, especially as weather forecasts are expected to be nice and cooler. But be careful and mindful about traveling to the N.C. coasts, as some are still in recovery efforts from Hurricane Erin.
Overall, it seems that your Labor Day trip may also be a bit cheaper this year.
AAA data shows hotel rates are 11% lower and care rentals are 3% cheaper compared to this time last year.