Labor Day Travel Warning: 8 Ways To Avoid The Worst Delays

AAA's 2026 Labor Day travel forecast, published on September 2, 2026, predicts some of the biggest delays around major U.S. cities as holiday traffic overlaps with regular commuting and then surges again during the return trip.

Airports are also preparing for heavy passenger volumes between September 3 and 8. However, slight adjustments could still make a difference in your total travel time.

Travel Sunday If Your Schedule Allows

Inrix's Labor Day traffic forecast indicates that Sunday, September 6 is generally the lightest travel day, although tourist areas around major events may still experience localized delays.

Saturday traffic is expected to build from late morning, particularly around beaches, parks and other recreational destinations.

AAA's 2026 Labor Day travel forecast identifies 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday as the day's worst nationwide travel window. The best time to leave Saturday is before 10 a.m.

Return Before Noon On Labor Day Or Later In The Evening

The return journey is expected to intensify on Monday, September 7, with 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. the worst nationwide driving window on Labor Day, while traveling before noon is listed as the best option.

Inrix separately advises travelers to return before late morning or after late evening, with Monday afternoon expected to be the busiest period for homebound traffic.

For travelers with flexible schedules, returning Tuesday is another way to avoid the concentrated Monday rush.

Leave Earlier, Even By An Hour Or Two

Labor Day travel is concentrated in a relatively short window, particularly as travelers leave cities on Thursday and Friday and return home on Monday.

Nathan Nekrews, a transportation analyst at Inrix, says in the forecast report that travelers departing one or two hours earlier could feel a meaningful difference.

This matters on routes where delays are forecast to be particularly severe. According to AAA's table using Inrix data, San Francisco to Sacramento could take 81% longer than normal at its Friday peak, Denver to Fort Collins 81% longer and Baltimore to Washington, D.C. 90% longer.

Check The Car Before Joining The Holiday Traffic

Avoiding peak traffic will not help if the vehicle breaks down along the way.

AAA says nearly 405,000 drivers required roadside assistance during last year's Labor Day holiday travel period, including towing, battery-related problems and flat tires.

AAA recommends checking the battery, tires, brakes, fluids, lights and wiper blades before a Labor Day road trip.

It also advises packing emergency supplies including drinking water, a flashlight, phone charging cables and basic first-aid supplies.

Check Airport Traffic, Parking And Security Before Leaving Home

At major airports, the holiday bottleneck can begin before travelers reach security.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport expects around 1.4 million customers between September 3 and 8 , with approximately 250,000 per day. Compared to last year, it could mean an increase of 7.2%.

DFW says its roadways, terminal curbs and parking facilities will be busiest during periods of heavy local travel, with the most activity expected from early morning through midday and Monday's peak extending into mid-afternoon.

The airport advises travelers to check live parking availability and security checkpoint wait times before leaving home.

DFW also recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international departures.

Consider Rail Instead Of Driving To The Airport

Where a practical rail connection exists, public transportation can bypass airport parking queues and roadway congestion.

DFW explicitly lists public transit as an alternative during busy travel periods. The DART Orange and Silver lines, TEXRail from Fort Worth and a Trinity Railway Express connection via the TRE Link shuttle serve the airport.

Denver International Airport gives similar guidance . DEN says its parking lots tend to fill quickly during busy travel periods and recommends considering the RTD A Line to the airport.

For travelers interested in reducing the footprint of their trip, this also offers a lower-impact transportation option.

Don't Assume A Very Early Flight Means An Empty Airport

DEN also warns that the earliest flights do not automatically mean shorter security lines. TSA forecasts more than 368,000 passengers moving through DEN's security checkpoints from September 3 to 7.

DEN expects Friday and Monday to be the busiest days and identifies peak times as 3 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The airport recommends checking real-time TSA security wait times and parking availability before departure and arriving at least two hours before boarding.

Check The Weather At Both Ends Of Your Flight

Bad weather at your departure airport is not the only thing that can disrupt a flight. Thunderstorms, low clouds or wind at the destination or even along the route can cause delays, ground flights or reroute flights.

The FAA recommends checking its National Airspace System status for airport delays and operational problems before heading to the airport, as well as checking National Weather Service conditions for both the departure and arrival cities.

Weather is the largest cause of flight delays in the U.S . During severe weather, flights may be rerouted, and disruption can spread far beyond the location of the storm.

The FAA also publishes a Daily Air Traffic Report identifying airports where thunderstorms, wind, low clouds or other conditions could affect operations.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com