Traffic This Labor Day Expected to be Highest in Several Years

Trucking can likely expect bigger traffic delays during the upcoming Labor Day holiday than it has experienced over the past few years.

AAA Travel projects 34.1 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home from Thursday, August 29 to Monday, September 2. This represents a 4.2% increase from the 32.7 million people who traveled last year and is a post-recession high. 

It says the anticipated increase in holiday travel is predominantly due to better consumer spending and the improving housing market.  

“AAA is forecasting a lift in Labor Day travel this year due to the increasingly positive economic outlook and optimism in the housing market,” said AAA president and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet.

85% percent of travelers, or 29.2 million, are expected to travel by automobile, an increase of 4.3%  from 28 million last year.

The largest share of travelers, 46% will depart on Friday, August 30 while Monday, September 2, is the most popular date of return for holiday trips with 43% planning to return that day.