Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Port Authority projects 6.6M Labor Day travelers via roads and airports
- Newark airport sees record passenger volume for the holiday
- NJ Transit offers early getaway service; kids ride free promotion
- Lower gas, hotel & flight costs expected to encourage road travel
As Labor Day Weekend arrives, travelers are hitting the road again to get their last taste of the summer season — local summer notwithstanding, of course, at the Jersey Shore.
“Labor Day wraps up summer travel and provides one final holiday weekend before the fall routine begins,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “While many travelers are staying closer to home and taking road trips to nearby beaches or national parks, some cities such as Orlando, New York, and Miami are very popular end of summer destinations. Seattle is a popular port city for those taking a dream cruise to Alaska.”
This Labor Day, drivers are experiencing lower pump prices as well as cheaper domestic round-trip flights (6% lower than last year). Hotel rates (11% lower) and car rental costs (3%) are also cheaper versus Labor Day 2024.
AAA says that about 85% of people who travel for holidays do so by driving to their destinations – and recommends drivers make sure their vehicle is ready by getting the proper maintenance. Last year, AAA Emergency Roadside Service crews responded to more than 11,184 motorist assistance calls in New Jersey. Top reasons included battery troubles, flat tires, and other engine/vehicle breakdowns.
“With the return to school on the horizon, not everyone travels long or far for Labor Day,” said Noble. “But there are certainly plenty of locals who will squeeze in one last hurrah before returning to the fall routine of work and school.”
Fill ‘er up
GasBuddy released its annual Labor Day gas price forecast this week, which predicts that national average gas prices over this last summer holiday weekend of 2025 will be $3.15 per gallon (down 14 cents from 2024) – the lowest price at the pump on Labor Day since 2020.
Here in New Jersey, pump prices are an average of $3.03 per gallon, as of Aug. 28, down some 20 cents from 2024.
Heading out on one last summer road trip? 🚗 Prices at the pump this Labor Day are expected to be $3.15/gal on average; 14c/gal lower than on the holiday weekend last year.
Are you hitting the road this weekend? Comment below! 👇 pic.twitter.com/YV1ch8MXEa
— GasBuddy (@GasBuddy) August 26, 2025
“Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and when it comes to gas prices, it’s been the cheapest summer to hit the road since the pandemic, a trend that will likely continue with the potential for the national average to fall below $3 per gallon this fall,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “We’ve seen a remarkably affordable summer to hit the road with incomes up and gas prices down, but there are some challenges that remain: hurricane season and uncertainty over trade, tariffs, and Russia’s war on Ukraine.
“However, I remain optimistic that as cooler weather invades, gas prices too, will seasonally cool off.”
Record projections
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey projects more than 6.6 million travelers will use its airports and vehicular crossing during the peak travel period – from Aug. 28 through Sept. 2.
That includes 4.2 million vehicles, which is similar volume to Labor Day 2024, and an estimated 2.4 million air travelers at its four airports (including Newark Liberty International Airport). The figure would set a new record for the Labor Day travel period.
United expects around 3.1 million passengers over that Thursday-to-Tuesday period – about 220,000 more than last year (which would be its busiest Labor Day holiday ever); and an average of 55,000 passengers traveling to/through EWR during that timeframe.
NJ Transit said it will kick-start the holiday weekend with “early getaway” rail and bus service Aug. 29. Kids will also ride free over the weekend as the agency extends the Family SuperSave Fare throughout Labor Day Weekend (from after 7 p.m. Aug. 29 until 6 a.m. Sept. 2). The promotion allows two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult.
Hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend. All of us here at NJBIZ wish you a happy, healthy, and safe Labor Day.
‘Paw’ in a day’s work:
Get to know some of the Port Authority’s four-legged officers – and their two-legged handlers – who help keep the region’s transportation ports safe. Meet them here.
