Travel Destinations for Labor Day 2025: Optimal Drive durations Revealed
Labor Day Travel Trends for 2025: A Look at Popular Destinations and Traffic
As the summer season draws to a close, millions of Americans are preparing for their Labor Day getaways. This year, travel trends indicate a surge in domestic and international travel, with some destinations expected to be busier than others.
According to AAA booking data, Seattle, Orlando, and New York City are the busiest domestic destinations for Labor Day 2025. The appeal of these cities lies in their diverse attractions. Seattle offers Alaska cruises, while Orlando's Central Florida theme parks continue to draw in crowds. New York City, on the other hand, is a popular choice for Broadway shows and sightseeing.
For international travel, Vancouver takes the lead, followed by Rome and Dublin. Vancouver's position as a major port city for Alaska cruises makes it a top choice during this period. Other notable international destinations include London, Paris, and Mexico City, as well as sunny holiday spots like Nadi, Fiji, and Taormina in Sicily.
Traffic is expected to spike midday through early evening across major metros during the holiday weekend. The worst times to drive are typically during peak hours. For instance, in Seattle, INRIX projects a sharp travel time increase on Sep 1 at 5:15 PM on I-90 W, with a +101% increase. Similar increases are expected in New York (LIE East on Aug 29 at 2:45 PM, with a +68% increase), San Francisco (I-80 E on Aug 29 at 5:45 PM, with a +78% increase), Chicago (I-65 N on Aug 29 at 5:15 PM, with a +72% increase), and Boston (I-93 N on Sep 1 at 12:15 PM, with a +101% increase).
However, morning departures tend to beat traffic every time. The best times to travel are during the early morning hours, ideally before noon.
In addition to these trends, the Alaska cruise season is finishing strong out of Seattle and Vancouver ports, with cruises seeing particular popularity this Labor Day. Domestic travel costs have decreased compared to 2024, with roundtrip flights averaging $720 (down 6%), hotel rates down 11%, and car rental rates down 3%. Domestic car rental hotspots based on advanced bookings include Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
International airfare is slightly higher this year, but savings on hotels, rental cars, and cruises abroad help balance travel costs. Flights, hotels, and rental cars are cheaper this year, but inventory is tight.
In summary, Seattle, Orlando, and New York City are the busiest domestic destinations, while Vancouver, Rome, and Dublin lead internationally for Labor Day 2025 according to AAA booking data. Alaska cruises out of Seattle and Vancouver remain a top travel trend. To avoid congestion, it's advisable to avoid peak routes and travel during off-peak hours.
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