Americans are preparing for one last summer getaway—and Labor Day 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. AAA reports a surge in bookings, lower travel costs, and congested roadways ahead of the long weekend.
Seattle, Orlando, and NYC top the charts
According to new AAA booking data:
- Seattle, Orlando, and New York City are the top domestic destinations
- Vancouver leads international travel, followed by Rome and Dublin
- Alaska cruises are capping off a strong season out of ports in Seattle and Vancouver
Theme parks, Broadway shows, and outdoor getaways are dominating itineraries for those planning a final summer trip.
Travel costs dip compared to 2024
If you’re flying or booking hotels, you might find better deals this year:
- Domestic roundtrip flights: Down 6%, averaging $720
- Hotel rates: Down 11% from last year
- Car rentals: Down 3% according to AAA and Hertz
- Gas prices: Expected to stay below 2024 levels, barring any Gulf Coast storms
AAA notes that summer gas prices have remained low and stable, mirroring 2021 averages.
Top U.S. Labor Day destinations (2025)
Here are the ten most popular cities for domestic travelers this year:
- Seattle, WA
- Orlando, FL
- New York, NY
- Boston, MA
- Anchorage, AK
- Chicago, IL
- Atlanta, GA
- Denver, CO
- Miami, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
Internationally, Rome, London, Paris, and Barcelona round out the most-booked cities.
Worst times to hit the road
INRIX warns that traffic will spike midday through early evening across major metros. Here are the worst times to drive over the holiday weekend:
- Thursday, Aug 28: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Friday, Aug 29: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday, Aug 30: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday, Aug 31: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Monday, Sep 1: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Best times to travel: Early morning hours—ideally before noon.
Cities expecting the worst congestion
INRIX projects sharp travel time increases in these metro areas:
- Seattle: I-90 W, +101% travel time (Sep 1 at 5:15 PM)
- Boston: I-93 N, +101% (Sep 1 at 12:15 PM)
- Chicago: I-65 N, +72% (Aug 29 at 5:15 PM)
- New York to Hamptons: LIE East, +68% (Aug 29 at 2:45 PM)
- San Francisco to Sacramento: I-80 E, +78% (Aug 29 at 5:45 PM)
Key tips for smoother travel
- Leave early: Morning departures beat traffic every time
- Watch gas prices: Fill up before the weekend rush
- Book ahead: Flights, hotels, and rental cars are cheaper this year—but inventory is tight
- Avoid peak routes: Know your city’s congestion hotspots
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