For many, it is the last hurrah.

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of the summer travel season.

And many make the most of it.

According to AAA booking data, domestic travel over Labor Day weekend increased 9% year over year, while domestic travel costs decreased 2%.

Gas prices

In its annual Labor Day travel forecast, GasBuddy predicts that the national average price of gasoline will continue its recent downward trend, falling to $3.27 per gallon on Labor Day, the lowest Labor Day price since 2021.

At $3.27, this would be 50 cents per gallon or 13 percent below last year’s figure of $3.77. Overall, Americans would save $750 million during the travel period from Friday to Monday, according to a press release from the authorities.

The national average price peaked at $3.69 per gallon in mid-April, and prices have been falling since then as lower demand helped drive down the price of gasoline.

“It’s been a great summer for drivers as gasoline prices have generally been lower than last year,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “But just before Labor Day, the gap has grown significantly compared to last year as there have been few refinery outages or heat waves affecting refineries this month.”

“Hurricane season has also been quiet so far. With no threat to the major refineries that make gasoline and diesel, it’s looking increasingly likely that we can avoid a late summer price spike. While many Americans wish summer could last forever, the good news is that we may have the best chance in years that the national average will fall below $3 a gallon.

“As Thanksgiving approaches, tens of thousands of gas stations are likely to eventually fall back below that level due to declining seasonal demand and cheaper winter gasoline just around the corner.”

In most states, gas stations will switch to winter gasoline starting Sept. 16, which will likely accelerate the decline in gasoline prices, officials said.

According to AAA, Wednesday’s average prices are as follows:

• Pennsylvania: $3.50

• Berks County: $3.43

• Chester County: $3.37

• Delaware County: $3.39

• Lehigh County: $3.40

• Montgomery County: $3.37

• Schuylkill County: $3.38

Travel times

INRIX, a transportation data and information provider, advises drivers to avoid the afternoon and early evening hours on Thursday and Friday, as that is when the worst traffic congestion will occur.

Drivers should leave in the morning unless traveling on Saturday, when the best time to travel is in the afternoon. Sunday and Labor Day travelers should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy afternoon traffic.

“Drivers should expect the worst congestion before the holiday weekend as commuters mingle with travelers,” said Bob Pishue, traffic analyst at INRIX, in a press release. “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations and 511 travel information services can help drivers avoid congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”

The breakdown for travel:

• Thursday: Worst between 1pm and 7:30pm, best before 11am

• Friday: Worst between 2 and 6 p.m., best before noon and after 7 p.m.

• Saturday: Worst between 8 and 11 a.m., best after noon.

• Sunday: Worst between 2pm and 8pm, best before noon.

• Monday: Worst between 11am and 8pm, best before 10am

• Tuesday: Worst between 8am and 12pm, best after 1pm

PA toll road

Pennsylvania Turnpike authorities expect 2.9 million drivers to use the highway between Thursday and Monday. The forecast is slightly higher than last year’s total traffic of 2.84 million drivers and about the same level as the record traffic of 2.89 million drivers in 2019.

The authorities announced the expected daily traffic figures:

• Thursday: 670,000

• Friday: 720,000

• Saturday: 540,000

• Sunday: 480,000

• Monday: 480,000

Officials said the number of security patrols on the highway would be increased to assist travelers in distress.

All road construction and maintenance projects will be suspended from 3:00 p.m. Thursday to 2:00 p.m. Monday to keep lanes open and minimize congestion.

The state police will increase patrols over the holiday weekend.

Weather

After Wednesday’s oppressive heat and humidity, conditions are expected to become a little more bearable during the holidays, according to AccuWeather:

• Thursday: Cooler but humid with partly cloudy and sunny days; a few afternoon thunderstorms; high 81°F, low 66°F.

• Friday: Mostly cloudy and pleasant; high 75; low 67.

• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, humid and warmer with a few showers and thunderstorms, mainly later; high 83; low 69.

• Sunday: Very warm and humid with clouds and sun; high 87; low 64.

• Monday: Partly sunny and not so warm, lower humidity; high 78; low 54.

• Tuesday: Sun, high clouds; high 74, low 53.

Originally published: August 28, 2024 at 11:30 am