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Labor Day travel forecast anticipates high passenger volume and projected peak gas prices

Airlines and transportation agencies prepare for heavy holiday traffic as fuel price estimates reach a potential record national average.

The short version

  • GasBuddy projects national fuel prices will average $4.03 per gallon over the Labor Day holiday, potentially reaching a record high for the period.
  • The Transportation Security Administration projects screening over 17 million passengers between Sept. 3 and Sept. 9.
  • Major airlines and traffic analytics firms forecast peak air and road travel congestion concentrated on Thursday, Friday, and Monday.

Key facts

  • GasBuddy predicts the national average gas price for Labor Day will reach $4.03 per gallon, up from the $3.19 average recorded by AAA the previous year.[ABC News]
  • The TSA anticipates screening more than 17 million passengers across domestic airports from Sept. 3 through Sept. 9.[ABC News]
  • American Airlines estimates carrying over 3.5 million travelers between Sept. 3 and Sept. 8, while United Airlines expects approximately 3.4 million passengers.[ABC News]
  • According to INRIX, the heaviest highway traffic congestion is expected on Thursday afternoon, Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and Labor Day afternoon.[ABC News]
  • AAA booking data identifies Seattle, Orlando, Boston, Denver, and New York City as the top domestic holiday destinations.[ABC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Actual holiday gas price averages remain dependent on real-time market fluctuations relative to the $4.03 per gallon forecast.[ABC News]

Sources