There’s nothing like the excitement of hitting the road for a Labor Day weekend trip. However, we all know how quickly that excitement can fade when we encounter car breakdowns or flight delays. AAA said they expect more than 545,000 car breakdowns for the holiday. Battery problems, flat tires, and crashes are the top issues people face. AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair joins FOX Weather for more.
NEW YORK – Summer is coming to an end, which means millions of Americans will hit the road and take to the skies for the Labor Day weekend.
And most people who travel will drive, and more than 80% of people will get in their cars instead of planes.
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AAA predicts this will be the busiest Labor Day travel weekend in three years, reaching pre-pandemic levels. Trends are similar to busy Memorial Day and 4th of July weekends this year. And whether you’re driving or flying, travel experts recommend setting off early in the morning or late at night.
Top domestic destinations
- Seattle, Wash.
- Orlando, Florida.
- Las Vegas, Nev.
- Denver, Col.
- Boston, Mass.
- Ankara, Alaska
- New York, Nev.
- Anaheim, California
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Chicago, City.
“AAA estimates that Friday, September 2, will be the busiest travel day of the holiday weekend, as we are mixed with passengers trying to land on the beach Friday afternoon,” said Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “It’s not going to be fun trying to get to the beaches during these rush hour commutes. It won’t be easy.”
Passengers pass through one of the Transportation Security Administration lines at Terminals B and C of Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC, September 1, 2017.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Driving off-peak hours saves you not only time but also money by reducing the amount of gas you burn while sitting in traffic.
AAA is urging those on the road this weekend to have their vehicles checked before traveling to avoid a breakdown. AAA Spokesperson Robert Sinclair joined FOX Weather to talk more about Labor Day travel.
Gas prices have fallen since hitting 5-gallon highs seen in June. Currently, the national average is $3.82.
With high temperature predictionYou also won’t want to deal with any roadside car hassles in the heat. Be sure to check your battery before you go on a trip.
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The FOX Prediction Center says models are in agreement that most of the East will deal with stormy weather and that the West will stay warm and humid for the Labor Day holiday.
(FOX Weather)
AAA said the top searches received were for dead batteries and flat tires.
“Heat has a cumulative effect on car batteries in particular. And we’re in five heat waves at this point in the season,” Tidwell said.
AAA predicts more than 545,000 breakdowns nationwide for the Labor Day holiday, based on last year’s data.
Being stranded on the road can be dangerous for drivers, their passengers and those who come to their aid. On average, one tow truck driver is killed every two weeks in the United States while helping a malfunctioning driver, according to the AAA.
While the AAA says the majority of Americans traveling will be in the car, a large number are flying for the long weekend. Robert Ray of FOX Weather reports from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Just like your luggage, all major airports will be packed
For those taking to the skies this weekend, catching the first flight of the day to avoid delays and using the cabins to avoid baggage losses is highly recommended. International flyers should make sure their passports are not expired.
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AAA predicts that all major airports will be full, with domestic bookings increasing by 22% and international bookings by 104% compared to last year.
Top international destinations
- Vancouver, Canada
- London, England
- Dublin, Ireland
- Rome, Italy
- Paris, France
- Athens, Greece
- Barcelona, Spain
- Calgary, Canada
- Budapest, Hungary
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
“We expect to see approximately 1.6 million passengers arriving, departing or passing through (Atlanta’s) Hartsfield-Jackson (airport) airport from Thursday to post-holiday Tuesday,” said Andrew Gobeil, communications director for Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. “That’s a bit more than we anticipated last year, 1.3 million passengers at the same time. It’s like the trip is coming back, you need me to tell you that and things are working out.”
Flyers should have the airline’s app on their phone so they can be notified of any delays or cancellations.
The most domestic destinations for vacation are Seattle, Orlando and Las Vegas. Overseas travelers head to Italy, Canada and Ireland, according to data from the AAA.
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