USA, — The unofficial end of summer is nearly here, and with Labor Day weekend quickly approaching, many are looking to enjoy one last getaway before the school year begins.
Starting Thursday, and continuing through next Wednesday, this Labor Day weekend is expected to break records, with nearly 9% more travelers, according to the Transportation Security Administration. That amounts to about 17 million more passengers being screened at airports across the country, including at Midland International Air & Space Port.
Friday is anticipated to be the busiest day, with the TSA expecting 2.8 million passengers.
But it’s not just flights — people are hitting the roads, too.
According to AAA, highways and byways are expected to be jam-packed, regardless of the destination. Gas prices are about 50 cents less per gallon than they were last year, so travelers are taking advantage.
If you’re planning to drive this holiday weekend, here are some times to avoid and some to aim for:
- Thursday: Leave before 11 a.m. (Worst: 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
- Friday: Leave before noon.
- Saturday: Leave after noon.
- Sunday: Leave before noon.
- Monday: Leave before 10 a.m.
- Tuesday: Leave after 1 p.m.
However, travelers are also taking advantage of lower domestic flight costs. Instead of weekend getaways to the Caribbean or Europe, many are opting for domestic destinations like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and even Alaska.
No matter how you choose to travel, plan accordingly. Atlanta, already the world’s busiest airport, expects to maintain that title during the Labor Day weekend with 9,000 flights and 1.1 trillion reserved seats.
So, whether your flight is already booked or the car is packed, the best advice is to plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute. Take advantage of CLEAR and PreCheck if the airport offers it, stay hydrated and plan.