Many kids in the US have gone back to school and the days are getting shorter, but there’s still an excuse to stock up on swimwear and beach towels before you pack: Labor Day.

Airports, highways, beaches and amusement parks are expected to be packed over the long holiday weekend as many Americans celebrate the unofficial end of summer in the same way They celebrated the unofficial start of the season: by traveling.

The Transport Security Administration expects more than 17 million people to be screened between Thursday and next Wednesday, a record for the Labor Day period.

AAA says bookings for domestic travel are up 9% on last year for the long weekend, while international travel is down 4%.

American Airlines plans largest Labor Day weekend operation ever, expects 14% increase passengers compared to last year.

If you’re traveling to enjoy summer one last time, here’s an overview of what you need to know.

Why Labor Day?

“Not everyone travels for Labor Day, not compared to July 4 or Thanksgiving — those are the most popular days,” said Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for AAA. “But Labor Day definitely gives people a way to get away for the last weekend of summer. You have people who either take the three-day weekend or maybe take the whole week off before Labor Day.”

What are the prices like?

Motorists get a brake on petrol compared to last year. The national average was recently $3.44 per gallon, compared to $3.86 a year ago, according to AAA.

For electric vehicles, the average price per kilowatt of power at an L2 commercial charging station is about 34 cents. The average is under 25 cents in Kansas and Missouri, but exceeds 40 cents in several states, including New Hampshire, Tennessee and Kentucky. Hawaii is the most expensive, at 56 cents.

Average flight prices in july were 7.1% lower than in June and 2.8% lower than in July 2023, according to the government’s consumer price index. The trend appears to be accelerating as the peak summer holiday season draws to a close.

“We are now entering that traditional autumn season in which demand decreases, and that is also reflected in flight prices,” said Steve HafnerCEO of travel metasearch engine Kayak. “Airfares are already down 26% compared to the summer, and down 4% compared to the fall before.”

What’s the best time to hit the road?

If you plan to start your trip on the Thursday or Friday before Labor Day, you’ll be sharing the road with commuters. It’s best to leave before the morning rush hour or even in the evening to avoid traffic.

According to transport data provider INRIX, the worst times to travel by car are on Thursday between 13:00 and 19:30 and on Friday between 14:00 and 18:00. On Saturday, it’s the other way around, because you don’t want to drive between 08:00 and 11:00.

According to INRIX, the return trip on Monday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., will be a drag most of the day.

And watch out for risky drivers. New data from Arity, part of insurance giant Allstateindicates that the number of speeds over 80 mph (130 km/h) has increased by 83% and the number of ‘very high speeds’ (faster than 160 km/h) has increased by more than 50%.

However, Arity says that the number of distracted driving incidents has surprisingly decreased over the past three Labor Days.

When are airports busiest?

Friday, according to the TSA. The agency expects to screen 2.86 million people that day. While it’s an impressive number, it wouldn’t even rank in the top 15 days in TSA history. The one day record of 3.01 million was recorded on July 7, the Sunday after Independence Day.

TSA says there are enough screeners to keep wait times at regular lines to 30 minutes or less, and at PreCheck lines to a maximum of 10 minutes.

American Airlines says Thursday and Friday will be the busiest days, with 6,400 flights per day, followed by Labor Day itself, when the airline has 6,300 scheduled flights.

Officials at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport worked Monday to restore full service after what they called an apparent cyber attack over the weekend. Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines reported no flight disruptions, but airlines warned passengers not to check bags because the bag sorting system was affected. AAA named Seattle the top Labor Day destination based on bookings.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

Check your itinerary before you leave for the airport. It is better to be stuck at home than stranded at the airport.

If your flight is cancelled, the airline can automatically rebook you, which may not be the best option.

“Pick up the phone (to the airline’s help center), go to an agent, reach out to the airline on social media if you need to, but figure out what other options are out there,” says Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, a browser extension that lets users compare fares with deals available with frequent-flyer points. “You can almost always find another option that works better than the one the airline is offering.”

Kheel said airport agents have more leeway to help, but they could be overwhelmed if many flights are canceled. Rebooking yourself on the airline’s website or app could be faster, he said.

Phone Tip: Some experts say that if the airline has international help numbers, it is best to call one of them. You will get help faster than via the American line.

What about refunds and reimbursements?

Airlines are obligated to provide refunds — including any extra fees paid — to passengers whose flights are canceled for any reason. However, they are not required to pay cash compensation, and no major U.S. airline does. Only Alaska, Southwest, and JetBlue even promise travel vouchers if the cancellation is their fault.

If you’re stuck overnight, ask your airline if they’ll cover the cost of a hotel, meals and ground transportation. All major U.S. airlines except Frontier promise to help with all three for “controllable” disruptions, according to the Department of Transportation airline policy dashboardHowever, these obligations do not apply to cancellations due to weather.

Keep receipts for all expenses incurred, in case you need to file a claim later.

A few final tips

— Leave early. Everything takes longer than you expect, including airport security. If you plan to park at the airport, make sure there are spaces available when you arrive — many airports now post that information online.

— Keep an eye on the weather. Even if the sky is clear at home, there may be storms at your flight destination or along your route. Plan an alternative route.

— Be kind. Flight cancellations and bumper-to-bumper traffic are frustrating, but you’re not the only one stuck. Customer service agents are busy during peak periods, so it’s important to be patient and respectful as they try to help you.

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Koenig reported from Dallas. Business writer Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York and video journalist Rick Gentilo in Washington contributed to this report.