AAA: Travel Developments for Labor Day 2025

Alaska cruises, theme parks, Central Oregon and the Oregon Coast are high locations

PORTLAND, Ore., – It’s been a record-breaking summer time journey season, and lots of will squeeze in a single ultimate journey over the Labor Day weekend earlier than the summer time wraps up. AAA reserving knowledge reveals that Alaska cruises, theme parks, Central Oregon and the Oregon Coast are the preferred locations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho. AAA says the excellent news for vacationers is that flights, resorts and automotive leases value much less this 12 months in comparison with 2024.

Memorial Day all the time marks the unofficial begin to the summer time journey season, and Labor Day marks the unofficial finish. The Labor Day weekend is usually a busy journey weekend in comparison with different weekends in August and September, however the quantity just isn’t as excessive as the opposite main summer time holidays, Memorial Day and Independence Day. With many faculties already again in session or beginning quickly, households are inclined to take shorter journeys which might be nearer to dwelling over Labor Day. However, these with out children in class usually use Labor Day because the kickoff to the autumn journey season to benefit from cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and off-peak pricing. Destinations in Europe, Mexico and Iceland are particularly common for these vacationers.

“Many are eager to venture out for the last holiday weekend of the summer, enjoying one last vacation before the fall routine starts again,” says Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice chairman of journey at AAA Oregon/Idaho. “Alaska cruises are especially popular this time of year. Cruise ships are usually less crowded than earlier in the summer, and while it’s a bit chillier than in July and August, the weather is still nice and it can be a great time to see wildlife and a hint of fall color.”

AAA can assist you propose your Labor Day getaway, or any journey, with Trip Canvas. This free useful resource gives concepts and knowledge for numerous locations. You can discover the 9 best Alaska Cruises for every traveler, top things to do in Bend, things to do in Portland on a budget, best places to eat at Disneyland,  and the Northern California and Southern Oregon Coast road trip, to call a couple of.

Top Labor Day locations

Here are the highest locations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho primarily based on searches and bookings:

Alaska cruises are highly regarded, with the cruise port cities of Seattle and Vancouver B.C. topping the lists of the preferred U.S. and International locations.

Disneyland and Las Vegas are perennial favorites.

The high regional locations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho are Central Oregon, Portland, the Oregon Coast, Portland, Medford/Ashland and Eugene.

Labor Day fuel costs

Those taking a highway journey for the Labor Day vacation will discover fuel costs which might be dearer in Oregon and Washington this 12 months in comparison with final 12 months, however cheaper in most different states.

The nationwide common is at present $3.15 and the Oregon common is $3.99 (as of August 15, 2025). Last 12 months on Labor Day, the nationwide common was $3.33 and the Oregon common was $3.78.

Find present fuel costs right here:

Find Oregon fuel value information right here:

“Gas prices have been relatively calm this spring and summer, due to fairly steady crude oil prices. Pump prices should remain fairly stable through the Labor Day holiday or even edge lower, barring a refinery or pipeline outage, a major storm that impacts the Gulf Coast, escalating tensions in the Middle East, or some other geo-political event that sends crude oil prices higher,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Best and worst instances to drive

INRIX, a worldwide supplier of transportation knowledge and insights, says the most effective instances to drive over Labor Day weekend are earlier than lunchtime, and for these hitting the highway on Saturday, the sooner, the higher! Traffic congestion worsens because the day progresses.

The worst instances to drive over the vacation weekend are sometimes within the afternoon and early night hours. The afternoons of Thursday, August 28 and Friday, August 29 will likely be among the many busiest instances on the roads as vacation vacationers combine with commuters. Saturday is anticipated to be further busy with many drivers heading out of city or taking day journeys.

“Most Labor Day travelers will depart on Thursday or Friday before the holiday, and return home on Labor Day or Tuesday,” says Dodds. “Monitor traffic and navigation apps, listen to traffic reports on the radio, and check road and weather conditions at TripCheck or your local transportation department. These tools can help you avoid the worst bottlenecks.”

Here are projected journey instances out of Portland from INRIX:

Airfare, resort, rental automotive, cruise and tour prices 

Flights: AAA finds that vacationers are paying much less for home flights and extra for worldwide flights for Labor Day journey in comparison with 2024

• Domestic flights are 6% cheaper this Labor Day weekend in comparison with final 12 months.
• Average value for a home roundtrip flight is $720.
• International flights are 8% dearer this Labor Day weekend in comparison with final 12 months.
• Average value for a global roundtrip ticket is $1,470.

Hotels: AAA finds resort costs are lower than in 2024.

• Domestic resorts are 11% cheaper this Labor Day weekend in comparison with final 12 months.
• Average reserving value for a home resort keep (which is usually a couple of nights) is $495. That’s the typical value of home resort bookings via AAA – not a nightly charge.
• International resorts are 2% cheaper this Labor Day weekend in comparison with final 12 months.
• Average reserving value for a global resort keep (which is usually a couple of nights) is $590. That’s the typical value of worldwide resort bookings via AAA – not a nightly charge.

Car Rentals: Daily automotive rental charges within the U.S. and overseas are inexpensive than in 2024.

• Domestic automotive leases are 3% cheaper this Labor Day weekend in comparison with final 12 months.
• Average reserving value for a rental automotive (which is usually a number of days) is $545 whole – not the every day charge.
• International automotive leases are 42% cheaper this Labor Day weekend in comparison with final 12 months.
• Average reserving value for a rental (which is usually a number of days) is $645 – not the every day charge.

Cruises: AAA finds that cruises departing from the U.S. are dearer whereas these departing from worldwide cities are cheaper this 12 months.

• Cruises departing from home cities are 3% dearer this Labor Day weekend.
• Average value for cruises departing from home cities is $2,545.
• Cruises departing from worldwide cities are 9% cheaper this Labor Day weekend.
• Average value for cruises departing from worldwide cities is $3,725.

Tours: AAA finds excursions value extra this 12 months.

• Tour costs in home cities are 37% dearer this Labor Day weekend in comparison with 2024.
• Average value for a home tour is $2,020.
• Tours in worldwide cities are 15% dearer this Labor Day weekend.
• Average value for a global tour is $2,880.

For assist in planning your journey, AAA.com/travel or name (800) 529-3222 to succeed in a AAA journey agent.

Tips for these flying this Labor Day

Air journey quantity surged to new highs this summer time, and that pattern is anticipated to proceed over the Labor Day vacation weekend.

The busiest days to fly are the Thursday and Friday earlier than the vacation, after which most vacationers fly dwelling on Monday, which is Labor Day, and Tuesday. Days that will likely be much less crowded are Saturday, August 30 and Wednesday, September 3.

AAA has suggestions for air vacationers:

• Check your airline’s web site or obtain their app to maintain updated in your flight standing, together with checking one final time proper earlier than you permit for the airport. Allow push notifications so the airline can warn you of any modifications.
• Check-in on-line for flights 24 hours forward.
• Arrive on the airport not less than two hours early for home flights and three hours for worldwide. Expect lengthy safety traces because of the spike in vacationers.
• Airport parking tons will seemingly be at or close to capability. Many airports together with Portland International airport allow you to test present availability https://www.flypdx.com/Parking.  Some parking amenities allow you to e book upfront.
• Consider taking transit, utilizing a journey sharing service or taxi, or getting a journey with a pal or member of the family to the airport so that you don’t should park onsite.
• Carry your baggage in your flight as a substitute of checking them. If you do have to test baggage, deliver drugs, a change of garments, snug footwear, and every other vital gadgets with you on the flight. That method you’ll have provisions in case your checked baggage get misplaced or delayed. Make certain your baggage have identify tags, and in addition put your identify and phone data inside every bag. Consider utilizing a baggage tracker.
• Bring a refillable water bottle and plan forward for meals and snacks. Airport eating places might be very busy with lengthy traces at instances, making it difficult to order meals you probably have a brief connection time. Many airways permit you to pre-order meals as much as 24 hours earlier than your flight. The TSA permits strong meals via screening however liquids or gels (akin to yogurt) should adjust to the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
• Consider reserving a flight throughout non-peak journey durations to chop down on wait instances. In common, early morning flights are inclined to have fewer delays and cancellations than flights later within the day.
• Over the Labor day vacation weekend, the Friday earlier than Labor Day and Labor Day itself are anticipated to be the busiest air journey days.
• Sign up for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and/or CLEAR earlier than your journey to expedite the safety screening course of. However, even these check-in lanes will likely be busier than regular. And affirm that the airports you employ supply CLEAR because it’s not accessible in any respect airports.

REAL ID:

TSA started implementing REAL ID necessities on May 7. Passengers are required to have a REAL ID to board home flights. These are REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or different state picture ID playing cards.

Acceptable alternate options to a REAL ID embrace:

• A U.S. passport or passport card
• Any government-issued passport
• DHS Trusted Traveler playing cards, together with Global Entry and SENTRI
• U.S. navy IDs (energetic obligation, retired, and dependent)

Air vacationers who don’t have a REAL ID should still be capable of fly however should undergo further screening so plan on plenty of further time. The TSA officer could ask you to finish an id verification course of which incorporates accumulating info akin to your identify and present deal with to verify your id. If your id is confirmed, you may be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, the place you might be topic to further screening.

Find out extra about REAL ID on the TSA’s website.

AAA to the rescue this Labor Day weekend

AAA is able to assist drivers all through the Labor Day vacation journey interval. The most typical points are lifeless batteries, flat tires, and lockouts.

Last 12 months, AAA responded to greater than 383,000 requests for roadside help nationwide, together with greater than 4,000 right here in Oregon.

AAA makes it simple to request help—by telephone or textual content (1-800-AAA-HELP), or with the AAA Mobile app—and members can monitor the service technician’s progress as they make their option to your car.

Before heading out on a highway journey, make certain your car is prepared. Have it inspected by a trusted restore store, akin to one of many greater than 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair amenities throughout North America.

Be ready for emergencies with a cell phone and automotive charger, and well-stocked emergency equipment together with a flashlight with further batteries, first-aid equipment, a fundamental toolkit, jackets and blankets, and ingesting water and snacks for all passengers and pets. Share your itinerary with household or buddies in order that authorities know the place to begin on the lookout for you if you happen to don’t attain your vacation spot.

“Don’t leave home without an emergency kit, and bring enough supplies including water, snacks, blankets and extra clothing. Having these supplies can go a long way in keeping everyone comfortable if you encounter significant delays. A crash can tie up traffic for hours. And if you do get stuck or have a breakdown, you don’t always have cell phone service in remote areas,” says Dodds.

Find extra data on getting road-trip prepared at AAA.com/summerprep

Find present gasoline costs at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA information releases, excessive decision photographs, broadcast-quality video, truth sheets and podcasts can be found on the AAA NewsRoom at NewsRoom.AAA.com.

Find native information releases at

_{For extra data go www.AAA.com.  AAA Oregon/Idaho supplies greater than 913,000 members with journey, insurance coverage, monetary and automotive-related providers, and is an affiliate of AAA National, serving greater than 64 million members in North America.}