Labor Day weekend gas prices should stay below last year’s national average for a gallon of regular fuel for the same period, $3.33, according to AAA.
So far in 2025, gas prices have seen few fluctuations thanks to steady crude oil prices. Summer gas prices have remained low, matching summer averages in 2021, the automobile association said. Barring a tropical storm or hurricane affecting Gulf Coast refineries, gas prices should stay below what they were last year, it said.
“Labor Day caps off summer travel and provides one final holiday weekend before the fall routine begins,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA travel. “The top cities on the domestic and international lists are Seattle and Vancouver, both port cities for Alaska cruises. While some people are going on dream cruises or European vacations, many travelers are staying closer to home and taking road trips to nearby beaches or national parks.”
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, said the best times to drive over Labor Day weekend are before lunchtime, and for those hitting the road on Saturday, the earlier, the better. Traffic congestion worsens as the day progresses.
The worst times to drive over the holiday weekend are typically in the afternoon and early evening, according to INRIX. Saturday is expected to be busier with many drivers heading out of town or taking day trips.
For Labor Day statistics, AAA looked at booking data for Aug. 28 through Sept. 1 and compared those numbers with booking data for that same five-day period in 2024.
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