Millions of travelers are moving through airports and highways for the Labor Day holiday, which unofficially closes the summer season. The Transportation Security Administration projects more than 17 million screenings at checkpoints from Thursday through the following Wednesday.
Los Angeles International Airport faces added pressure from road congestion around the terminals. Motorists should plan extra time during peak periods from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
Los Angeles and Anaheim rank seventh on AAA’s list of top domestic destinations, behind cities including Seattle and Orlando. Booking data from the organization shows average domestic airfares rose 2 percent from last year, reaching nearly $800 round trip on popular routes, a 20 percent increase.
Hotel costs also moved higher. Domestic rates climbed 9 percent and international bookings rose 12 percent compared with the prior Labor Day period. Offsetting some of those gains, international airfares fell 4 percent and U.S.-departing cruises cost 4 percent less.
Drivers in Southern California encounter steeper fuel expenses. Regular gasoline averages about $5.86 per gallon in the Los Angeles area, roughly $1.20 above year-ago levels. AAA estimates each fill-up will cost travelers an additional $18 to $24.
The California Highway Patrol begins a 78-hour enforcement window at 6:01 p.m. Friday and runs it through 11:59 p.m. Monday. Officers will target impaired driving under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
During the same window last year, state troopers recorded more than 1,200 impaired-driving arrests along with nearly 500 DUI-related crashes that produced over 270 injuries and eight fatalities. Motorists are urged to use seat belts and report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.
This report is based on coverage by FOX 11 Los Angeles: https://www.foxla.com/news/lax-labor-day-travel-2026