By 
Labor Day explained: Depressing and violent origin
Labor Day has a deeper meaning than an end to summer and marks a pivotal moment in U.S. labor history, including a violent start.
USA TODAY
One of the busiest travel weekends of the year is quickly approaching – we’re a little less than two weeks away from the start of Labor Day weekend 2024.
For many, the three-day weekend marks the end of the summer. And since Florida is one of the most popular summer destinations in the U.S., it makes sense that one of Florida’s most touristy cities is in AAA’s list of the top Labor Day destinations in the U.S. this year.
Here’s when Labor Day 2024 is, which Florida city is among AAA’s top domestic destinations for the three-day weekend and the best and worst days and times for traffic this Labor Day weekend.
What day in September is Labor Day 2024?
Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday in September. This year, Labor Day will be Monday, September 2.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Labor Day is “an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.”
“The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.”
Where are the most popular Labor Day destinations?
“According to AAA booking data, overall domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is up 9% compared to last year, while the cost to travel domestically is down 2%,” AAA’s Labor Day travel trends report says.
Orlando, Florida unsurprisingly ranked high on AAA’s list of the top 10 most popular Labor Day weekend destinations in the U.S. for 2024, in second place, right behind Seattle, Washington.
Here’s AAA’s list of the top 10 most popular Labor Day weekend destinations in the U.S. this year:
- Seattle, Washington
- Orlando, Florida
- Anchorage, Alaska
- New York, New York
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Denver, Colorado
- Chicago, Illinois
- Juneau, Alaska
- San Francisco, California
When is Labor Day 2024? What to know about holiday, what’s closed in Florida
What is the busiest travel day this Labor Day weekend?
According to AAA’s Labor Day weekend travel outlook for 2024, you should avoid driving on Thursday and Friday evening. And if you’re planning to travel home on Sunday, the earlier you leave, the better.
“INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says car travelers should avoid the afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, as those times will be the most congested,” AAA’s report said.
“Drivers should hit the road in the morning unless they’re leaving on Saturday when the best time to travel by car is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and on Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic in the afternoon.”
Here are the best and worst times to travel by car this Labor Day weekend, according to AAA and INRIX:
- Best times for departing:
- Thursday, August 29 – Before 11 a.m.
- Friday, August 30 – Before noon, after 7 p.m.
- Saturday, August 31 – After noon
- Worst times for departing:
- Thursday, August 29 – 1 p.m. through 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, August 30 – 2 p.m. through 6 p.m.
- Saturday, August 31 – 8 a.m. through 11 a.m.
- Best times for returning:
- Sunday, September 1 – Before noon
- Monday, September 2 – Before 10 a.m.
- Tuesday, September 3 – After 1 p.m.
- Worst times for returning:
- Sunday, September 1 – 2 p.m. through 8 p.m.
- Monday, September 2 – 11 a.m. through 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 3 – 8 a.m. through noon
Is Labor Day a working holiday or a federal holiday?
Labor Day is one of 11 federal holidays in the U.S.
Here are all 11 federal holidays:
- New Year’s Day – Jan. 1
- Martin Luther King’s Birthday – 3rd Monday in January
- Washington’s Birthday – 3rd Monday in February
- Memorial Day – last Monday in May
- Juneteenth National Independence Day – June 19
- Independence Day – July 4
- Labor Day – 1st Monday in September
- Indigenous People’s Day – 2nd Monday in October
- Veterans’ Day – Nov. 11
- Thanksgiving Day – 4th Thursday in November
- Christmas Day – Dec. 25
What days of the week are the best days to fly this Labor Day weekend?
Here are the best and worst days to fly on Labor Day weekend, according to NerdWallet.com. This list is based on an average from the past four years. The days are listed in order, from the most to least busy travel days of the week of Labor Day.
- Friday before Labor Day (most crowded)
- Thursday before
- Labor Day Monday
- Sunday after
- Friday after
- Monday after
- Monday before
- Thursday after
- Tuesday after
- Wednesday before
- Sunday before
- Saturday before
- Wednesday after
- Tuesday before
- Saturday after (least crowded)
Contributing reporting: Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal and Samantha Neely, USA TODAY Network-Florida
