WASHINGTON, D.C. — Travelers are looking to cruises, national parks and major European cities for the Labor Day holiday weekend, with AAA booking data showing Seattle and Rome as the top domestic and international destinations.
AAA said Seattle, Orlando, Boston, Denver and New York are the five most popular domestic destinations for the holiday period. Internationally, Rome leads the list, followed by Vancouver, London, Dublin and Paris.
“Travelers are seeking memorable experiences, and these top Labor Day destinations reflect that desire,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “AAA members are embarking on Alaska cruises and river cruises, touring National Parks, and sightseeing in Europe. Many of our members are also looking ahead to 2027 and booking cruises and tours now before they sell out.”
AAA’s top 10 domestic destinations are Seattle; Orlando, Florida; Boston; Denver; New York; Chicago; Anaheim/Los Angeles; Las Vegas; Anchorage, Alaska; and Atlanta.
The top 10 international destinations are Rome; Vancouver, Canada; London; Dublin; Paris; Calgary, Canada; Barcelona, Spain; Athens, Greece; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Halifax, Canada.
Outdoor destinations draw Labor Day travelers
AAA said travelers are taking advantage of the unofficial end of summer to spend time outdoors. Seattle, Anchorage and Vancouver all rank among the top destinations, with Alaska cruises helping drive travel to those cities.
National parks are also popular. AAA travel agents report travelers are renting vehicles in Denver and Las Vegas before heading to destinations including Rocky Mountain, Arches, Zion and Grand Canyon national parks.
Hertz expects Friday, Sept. 4, to be the busiest rental-car pickup day of the holiday weekend. Orlando, Los Angeles and Boston are also expected to see high rental-car demand.
European destinations are attracting travelers interested in history and culture, AAA said, including Rome and Athens. Boston and Chicago are among the domestic destinations drawing travelers interested in U.S. history.
Domestic airfare rises, international fares fall
Travelers staying within the United States are paying an average of $750 for round-trip airfare, about 2% more than last year, according to AAA. Flights to the top domestic destinations are averaging nearly $800 per ticket, about 20% higher than a year ago.
International airfare is moving in the opposite direction. AAA said international flights are averaging $1,240 per ticket, about 4% less than last Labor Day weekend.
Motorists will also face higher gasoline prices than they did last year. The national average for regular gasoline was $3.19 per gallon on Labor Day 2025, when crude oil prices were lower.
AAA recommends drivers check their tires, batteries and fluids before leaving and carry an emergency kit with water, snacks, first-aid supplies, flashlights and jumper cables. AAA responded to more than 400,000 roadside assistance calls during last year’s Labor Day weekend for issues including flat tires, dead batteries and emergency towing.
When to hit the road
Transportation analytics company INRIX expects Labor Day traffic to be concentrated over a relatively short period, particularly after work Thursday and during the day Friday.
The worst travel period Thursday, Sept. 3, is expected from 2 to 7 p.m., while motorists are advised to leave before 1 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 4, the worst traffic is expected from noon to 8 p.m., with travel before noon recommended.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, motorists should travel before 10 a.m. and avoid the roads from 1 to 5 p.m. Minimal traffic impacts are expected Sunday, Sept. 6.
For Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, INRIX recommends traveling before noon and avoiding the 2 to 5 p.m. period.
AAA’s findings are based on booking data for Thursday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 7, compared with the same five-day holiday period in 2025.
