Labor Day travel in North Carolina: What to expect on roads and in airports
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- It's the unofficial last weekend of summer, so this means highways and airports in North Carolina will be packed.
Many are getting in the last big vacation before fall. On Friday, people in the Triangle were going everywhere from the beach to the mountains.
"I'm on my way to pick up my adult daughter. She's going to be so embarrassed when she sees this," said Blair Atkins. Her daughter will be off to Boone for the Labor Day weekend.
TSA nationwide is expected to screen over 17 million passengers over Labor Day weekend with nearly 3 million people expected to fly Friday alone. Driving on NC roads is expected to be highly congested, according to AAA.
For those traveling by car or planning their airport arrival, transportation data from INRIX suggests the best times to drive are before lunchtime. AAA also recommends arriving at the airport 30 minutes earlier than usual to account for potential delays.
Some good news: Gas prices are expected to stay below last year's levels
"About $2.89, which I think is fair. We're from Burlington, NC," said Emily Harrington, who was beach-bound but left early.
"Yeah, so, we actually have to work on Monday, so we wanted to just go ahead and get on the road early this morning and make the most of it before coming back Sunday evening," she said.
Atkins said she is soaking up every second of vacation and leaving on Monday.
"We're just going to, you know, again, just take it easy. I try to enjoy the drive, take lots of breaks. I don't need to, you know, get home because, I mean, what am I going to do? Just go back to work? So let me just go and take as long as I need," she said.
Here is a full breakdown below with the worst times to travel by car over the holiday weekend, with Saturday predicted to be the busiest.
Friday, Aug. 29: Before 12 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30: Hit the road before 6 a.m., with the busiest hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 31: Head out before 11 a.m. and avoid the peak times of 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 1: Leave before 12 p.m., and wait out the roads from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Road Safety
The best time to leave is early in the morning. It is expected that most people will be out on the roads on Labor Day (Monday).
AAA said it responded to over 383,000 calls from stranded drivers. It is recommended that drivers ensure their vehicles are road-ready for the holiday weekend.
- Tires: Inspect tread depth and proper inflation, including the spare tire.
- Battery: Test for signs of wear, such as slow engine starts or dim lights, and replace if needed.
- Brakes: Listen for grinding noises or vibrations, which may signal a need for service.
- Wiper Blades: Replace if they streak or fail to clear the windshield effectively.
- Fluids: Check and top off oil, coolant, and brake fluids as recommended in the owner's manual.
Drivers should also make sure they are stocked with first-aid items, a flashlight, water, jumper cables, and a basic toolkit.
"Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and our roadside assistance teams are fully prepared to help those in need," said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson for AAA - The Auto Club Group. "However, taking preventative steps before hitting the road can often mean the difference between an enjoyable trip and an unwanted interruption. A simple vehicle inspection can save time, money, and stress while keeping everyone safer."
If you do experience car trouble, here's what you should do:
- Pull over to the nearest exit or shoulder and make sure you are as far away from traffic as possible
- Turn on hazard lights to signal distress
- Stay with your vehicle if it is safe to do so. If you must exit, carefully move to a secure area away from traffic
- Call for assistance
As always, watch your speed, avoid distractions, don't drive impaired, buckle up and be well rested, and stay alert.
