HYANNIS – Travel experts are predicting a record-breaking summer of travel that will end on a high note with even more Americans hitting the road this Labor Day weekend.
AAA Northeast expects total domestic travel to increase 9% from last year, with associated costs down about 2%. Top destinations include the Boston area.
Gas prices are also down for the holidays despite a busy summer. The current average price in Massachusetts is $3.40 per gallon.
“The heaviest traffic jams during holiday weekends almost always occur when commuters mix with travelers,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “Car travelers can prepare for smoother commutes by strategically planning their departures based on the best times to hit the road.”
Despite the popularity of summer road trips, overall gasoline demand is down as daily driving habits have changed after the pandemic, keeping pump prices from skyrocketing, AAA says.
According to their forecasts, the busiest times on the road are Thursday afternoon and Friday evening.
Travelers returning on Sunday and Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy afternoon traffic.
For any long trip, AAA reminds drivers to be careful and take frequent breaks.
