It's hard to believe, but the end of summer is near and people across the country are gearing up for one last trip to savor the season.
According to AAA, Labor Day weekend travel is up over last year with domestic bookings for flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises up 4% and international bookings up 44%.
"Labor Day weekend will be the big sendoff to what has been an extremely busy summer travel season," Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA, said in a statement.
To get the most out of your trip, you'll want to use some strategy -- and AAA suggests you start by looking at the anticipated traffic.
"Most travelers will leave on Thursday or Friday before Labor Day to take advantage of the long holiday weekend," said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel.
More people taking advantage of the long weekend also means more people on the roads.
INRIX, a global provider of transportation data and insights, expects Thursday, August 31 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to be the busiest time on the roads during the long Labor Day weekend. Friday, September 1 is also expected to have higher than normal traffic volumes between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
"The best times to travel by car over Labor Day weekend are early in the morning or in the evening," said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.
Best times to drive:
• Wednesday, Aug. 30: Before 7 a.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 31: Before 7 a.m.
• Friday, Sept. 1: Before 11 a.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 2: After 6 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 3: Minimal traffic impact expected
• Monday, Sept. 4: After 7 p.m.
Worst times to drive:
• Wednesday, Aug. 30: Between noon and 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 31: Between noon and 8 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 1: Between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 2: Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 3: Minimal traffic impact expected
• Monday, Sept. 4: Between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
"If you must travel during heavy traffic, navigation apps and local departments of transportation can help steer drivers around long delays," said Pishue.
You'll also want to make sure your car is in full working order, whether you're taking a road trip or just driving to the airport. Nationwide, AAA expects to rescue more than 300,000 stranded motorists during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The three most common reasons are flat tires, dead batteries and lockouts.
"The best way to avoid spending your holiday on the roadside is by getting a full vehicle inspection before your trip," said AAA spokeswoman Adrienne Woodland. "This will help ensure everything from your battery to brakes is in proper working order."
As for where people will soaking up the last bits of summer, AAA booking data shows Vancouver, Rome, London, Dublin and Paris are the top five international destinations. The top five domestic destinations are Seattle, Orlando, Anchorage, New York and Las Vegas.
"Canada is popular this time of year because of its cooler temperatures and stunning scenery. Europe has seen a surge in travel all year, with more people eager to see the world again without restrictions," AAA noted. "Seattle tourism has been boosted by the strong demand for Alaska cruises. Florida destinations are popular not only for their beaches and theme parks but also for their cruise ports."
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