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Most affordable destinations for last-minute Labor Day weekend trip

Most affordable destinations for last-minute Labor Day weekend trip

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Labor Day weekend is expected to be a busy travel period, with airfare up 10% over last year.
Domestic flights are cheaper this year, while flights to Europe are down 18%.
Drivers should avoid peak times, especially on Saturday, Aug. 30, to minimize traffic delays.
Popular destinations include New York, Las Vegas, Tokyo, London, and Rome, with beach destinations and national parks also seeing high interest.

Summer may be coming to a close but there’s still one last chance for travelers to fit in a quick getaway: Labor Day weekend.

This year’s Labor Day weekend is just around the corner – running from Friday, Aug. 29, to Monday, Sept. 1 – and it’s the perfect opportunity to book that last-minute trip before the weather cools down.

“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, in a news release. “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.”

Will your Labor Day trip will be cheaper this year? It depends who you ask. Overall, airfare for the final long weekend of the summer is 10% more expensive than last year, averaging at $231 per ticket, according to Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper. However, there are still some good deals to be found. Travelers can score flights to Europe that are cheaper by 18% compared to 2024, with savings of around $141 per ticket.

Meanwhile, AAA booking data found that domestic travel is actually cheaper this holiday weekend compared to last year. Round trip airfare for travel within the U.S. is 6% lower than in 2024 – averaging $720 – and hotel rates also having dropped by 11%, according to AAA.

Here’s what travelers should know about Labor Day weekend travel 2025, according to several travel platforms.

What are the top Labor Day weekend destinations?

Hopper data shows the classic domestic destinations like New York and Las Vegas as the most popular destinations for the holiday weekend. For travelers kicking off their international trips during Labor Day, the top destinations are Tokyo, London and Rome.

As far as trends go, travelers seem determined to catch the last sun rays of summer, showing the most interest in beachside destinations like San Juan, Puerto Rico; Maui, Hawaii; and Miami, Florida, according to Chase Travel booking data. Others are hoping to retreat into nature, with Yellowstone National Park gateway communities like Bozeman, Montana and Jackson, Wyoming seeing a boost in bookings.

What are the most affordable destinations for Labor Day weekend?

If you haven’t booked your trip yet, don’t worry. Here are some of the best travel deals for the holiday weekend, Priceline found.

Domestic destinations with the cheapest round-trip airfare include:

Raleigh, North Carolina – $147
Baltimore, Maryland – $200
Cleveland, Ohio – $205
San Francisco, California – $206
Detroit, Michigan – $219

International destinations with the cheapest nightly hotel rates include:

Icheon, South Korea – $115
Calgary, Canada – $121
Mississauga, Canada – $153
Tokyo, Japan – $156
Oakville, Canada – $164

What are the best times to drive for Labor Day weekend?

As usual, if you’re driving to your destination for the holiday weekend, you should leave as early as possible to beat traffic.

Below are the best travel times:

Thursday, Aug. 28 – Before 1 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 29 – Before noon
Saturday, Aug. 30 – Between 6 and 10 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 31 – Before 11 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 1 – Before noon

What are the worst times to drive for Labor Day weekend?

Saturday, Aug. 30, is anticipated to have the worst traffic as people are off of work and heading out on day trips or their weekend getaways, according to INRIX.

Below are the worst travel times: