Labor Day travel within the U.S. is expected to increase by 9% over last year with a 2% decrease in cost, according to new data from AAA. 

The report says travelers taking road trips will pay less for gas, about $3.50 a gallon compared to $3.81 last year. It says the lower fuel costs are due to daily driving habits having changed post-pandemic. 

AAA notes that gas prices could change if hurricanes affect refineries in the Gulf. 

As of Aug. 22, the national average for Level 2 commercial charging of an electric vehicle was 35 cents per kilowatt, according to an AAA release. 

AAA predicts the most congested hours will be the early evening hours of Thursday and Friday. The best time to travel will be early or Saturday afternoon, AAA says. When returning, drivers should leave early and avoid the afternoon hours of Sunday and Labor Day. 

Top Labor Day destinations this year include Alaska, Seattle, Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco, according to AAA data.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched its Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign on Aug. 15 in advance of the holiday, which it says is one of the busiest and deadliest travel times due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. 

NHTSA says alcohol-impaired driving traffic fatalities comprised 32% of all traffic fatalities in 2022. There were 13,524 alcohol-related fatalities in 2022, it says. 

NHTSA is spending $15 million for the campaign on TV, radio, and digital ads that will run through Sept. 2. 

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) also reported that Labor Day marks the end of the “100 Deadliest Days,” which is a period notorious for high teen auto fatalities in the U.S. 

“In 2023, distracted driving skyrocketed 13.5% on Labor Day compared to the surrounding Mondays,” a news release from CMT says. “This 13.5% increase led drivers to spend 2 minutes and 17 seconds per hour using their phones on the holiday.” 

CMT defines screen interaction as when a driver taps on their phone’s screen while the vehicle is traveling over 9 mph. 

Labor Day sees elevated levels of distracted driving throughout the day starting in the morning with a steady increase from 4-8 a.m. 

“With early risers trying to get to their destination for the day and the roads being emptier that early, some drivers may be more tempted to use their phones, leading to higher levels of distraction,” the release says. 

The biggest increase is in the afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m., the release says. It says the increase is 15-17% higher than other Mondays. 

“This time period is right around when many people fire up the grill and have friends and family over for a barbecue,” the report says. “This time is also when many come back from beach outings and pool parties. When social activities increase, like with Labor Day barbecues, drivers more frequently communicate with others, resulting in higher distraction rates during many holidays.”

CMT says Labor Day is the eighth most distracted holiday of the year. 

“The increase in screen interaction has severe and fatal consequences,” the release says. “CMT’s research shows that for every 10% increase in distracted driving, the fatality rate increases by 1.5%. Since 2020, increases in Labor Day distraction have led to 820 additional crashes, 460 injuries, 3 fatalities, and an economic impact of $32.6 million.” 

Speeding also increases on the holiday, CMT says. It says in 2023, speeding increased by 58.6% compared to other Mondays. 

“The combination of distracted driving and increased speeds creates a dangerous environment for drivers,” CMT says. “The excitement of holiday celebrations and the rush to arrive at destinations often cause drivers to speed, reducing their reaction time and increasing the risk and severity of crashes.”

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