Labor Day is seen as the final chance for a long weekend getaway before the summer comes to an end and generally sees the lowest travel volume of the three major summer holiday weekends.
Over the last decade, travel over the Labor Day holiday weekend has remained relatively stable, with approximately 35 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more from home each year. In the Pacific Region (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA), about 5 million people typically travel.
This compares to 43 million Memorial Day and 49 million Independence Day travelers this year (7.2 million and 7.5 million in the Pacific Region, respectively).
With many schools already starting up again this week, families planning Labor Day trips tend to take shorter trips that are closer to home. Regional destinations such as Bend and Central Oregon, the Oregon Coast, Ashland, Crater Lake, Seattle and British Colombia are favorites.
Labor Day is also viewed as the start of the fall travel season. AAA Oregon/Idaho typically sees a surge in international destinations right after Labor Day. Airfare and accommodations tend to cost less in the fall compared to the summer months so this can be a good time to take advantage of good weather, smaller crowds and better value for your travel dollars.
