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59m ago

Labor Day Getaway Kicks Off With Heavy Traffic and Crowded Airports Nationwide

Stepped-up patrols aim to keep the rush manageable through early-departure guidance.

File photo: heavy traffic heads south on I-93 over the Zakim Bridge ahead of Labor Day weekend in Boston in 2023.
Bay Area travelers should expect crowded roads and busy airports this Labor Day weekend, but flights, hotels and rentals are cheaper.
Traffic moves north along Interstate 91 near the Connecticut Department of Transportation District 1 Administration Office in Rocky Hill. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)
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Overview

  • Airport screenings are expected to reach about 17.4 million over the holiday stretch, with Friday the peak day at hubs such as Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway, TSA says.
  • San Francisco International projects roughly 930,000 passengers from Thursday through Monday, about 5.1% higher than 2024, with Oakland at about 160,000 and San Jose near 80,000.
  • The Illinois Tollway forecasts 8.2 million vehicles for the weekend, including more than 1.9 million on I-294 Friday, and warns drivers to slow in work zones.
  • AAA reports lower costs than last year, with domestic flights down about 6%, hotels down about 11%, rental cars down about 3%, and average U.S. gas prices near $3.15 a gallon.
  • Authorities emphasize safety enforcement, with CHP deploying all available officers and CT officials running ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’ as AAA urges departures before late morning to avoid the worst congestion.