High fuel costs, heavy site visitors: What to anticipate for Labor Day weekend journey in Colorado’s mountains

The unofficial finish to summer time is more likely to carry heavy site visitors to Colorado’s mountains this Labor Day weekend, and filling up on the pump will value motorists noticeably greater than final 12 months. 

Denver ranks No. 4 in AAA’s top domestic destinations this weekend primarily based on the journey group’s reserving information, which incorporates flights, lodges and automotive leases. 

The metropolis sometimes serves as a launchpad for vacationers who lease automobiles to traverse standard out of doors areas, together with Colorado’s nationwide parks and scenic High Country. Denver’s spot as a high long-weekend vacation spot within the nation continues a post-pandemic pattern, based on AAA regional spokesperson Skyler McKinley.

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“I think COVID shifted something in the travel economy where people were more inclined to want to travel to wide-open spaces,” McKinley stated. “Add to that the fact that it is America’s 250th birthday this year — robust travel to the national parks — it is getting colder later and later in the year. Denver is just the gateway to America’s outdoor recreation economy.” 

McKinley stated many individuals will take Friday off to increase their lengthy weekend. The busiest time for site visitors on Interstate 70 will probably be from 2-7 p.m. on Thursday, McKinley stated, including that journey instances could possibly be round 150% of regular. 

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A second wave of site visitors will probably hit eastbound I-70 on Labor Day itself, probably from 2-5 p.m., as travellers start to go residence. Traffic ranges may stay elevated early subsequent week as travellers peter out. 

“A great rule of thumb is that the earlier in the day you can leave, the better,” McKinley stated. 

Motorists may even pay extra for fuel this vacation weekend in comparison with final. 

As of Sept. 2, the typical worth per gallon in Colorado was $4.27, according to AAA. That’s up greater than $1 from that very same time final 12 months, when the typical worth was $3.14. 

Gas costs stay greater on the Western Slope. The common worth per gallon as of Sept. 2 was $5.75 in Pitkin County; $4.87 in Routt County; $4.74 in Garfield County; $4.69 in Eagle County; $4.54 in Grand County and $4.43 in Summit County. 

The higher mountain prices are typical, pushed by elevated prices of transporting fuel to resort communities and fewer fuel stations, which creates much less competitors for client demand. Motorists will sometimes pay extra for fuel nearer to main corridors, like exits alongside I-70. 

Despite this 12 months’s elevated fuel costs, McKinley stated it’s not more likely to cut back the quantity of motorists on the highway. 

“We know that gas prices influence consumer behavior; what is interesting is they don’t necessarily influence the decision to travel or not travel,” he stated. 

McKinley stated travellers usually tend to minimize prices on lodging, meals and different bills. His recommendation to motorists: “You can’t be mad at traffic. You are traffic.” 

“You’re going to hit traffic whether you are a Labor Day traveler or if you’re just driving to and from errand destinations like the grocery store or Home Depot,” he added. “You will hit traffic; it will be frustrating. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that we are lucky to live in Colorado.”