This year's record-breaking blockbuster summer travel season will conclude with many Americans exploring Alaska on a cruise.
According to AAA booking data, Seattle is the No. 1 Labor Day weekend travel destination, up nearly 30 percent from last year, when it also ranked No. 1. Anchorage and Juneau also made the top 10 Labor Day destination list.
“Now is the perfect time to take an Alaska cruise,” says Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel. “You'll find fewer crowds than earlier in the summer, and if you're lucky, you might even get to see some fall foliage! It's no wonder Alaska cruises sell out for Labor Day weekend.”
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AAA travel experts say if you're interested in taking an Alaska cruise next summer, now is the time to book to secure the best rate and get the type of room you want.
AAA booking data shows that domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is up 9% compared to last year, but spending on domestic trips is down 2%. Other popular Labor Day destinations include Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and San Francisco. For many families, Labor Day is the last festivities before school starts. To make the most of these trips, AAA recommends identifying must-see attractions and creating a flexible itinerary in advance. “Trip Canvas is a great free resource for travelers who are in the planning stages of their trip,” Twidale says. “You can find free things to do in Denver or the best museums in New York City.”
Travelers taking road trips can expect to pay less for gas compared to last year. The national average for Labor Day weekend in 2023 was $3.81. In recent weeks, gas prices have remained stable, hovering around $3.50. Despite the popularity of summer road trips, overall gasoline demand has decreased as daily driving habits have changed since the pandemic, preventing prices at the gas station from spiking. As the season approaches its peak in September, gasoline prices may rise as hurricanes hit the Gulf of Mexico and impact refineries in the region. For drivers taking road trips in electric vehicles, AAA now provides information on the cost of Level 2 commercial EV charging and updates its data weekly.
According to AAA bookings, international travel over Labor Day weekend is down 4% compared to last year, while spending on international travel is up 11%. Most of these travelers are heading to Europe; eight of the top 10 international destinations booked through AAA are in European cities. Travelers who rent cars abroad should consider obtaining an International Driver's Permit (IDP), which translates driver's license information into 10 languages. Some countries, such as Italy and Spain, require this license. AAA is the only agency authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs.
