According to AAA booking data, Seattle, Orlando and New York are the three most popular cities to travel to over the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Research also found that flights, hotels and car rentals are cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.

“Domestic roundtrip flights are 6% cheaper compared to last year, averaging $720 a ticket. Many travelers are flying into Orlando, New York, Denver and Atlanta for sightseeing, attractions and events,” AAA said.

AAA booking data also shows hotel rates are 11% lower and car rental costs are 3% cheaper compared to last Labor Day. AAA car rental partner Hertz says the top destinations based on advanced bookings are Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles and Atlanta, with the busiest day to pick up rental cars expected to be Friday, August 29.

Meanwhile, the cost to travel internationally this Labor Day weekend “is a mixed bag—while hotels are 2% cheaper, airfare is 8% more expensive. European cities make up most of AAA’s top international destinations, but the number one spot belongs to Vancouver.”

“Labor Day caps off summer travel and provides one final holiday weekend before the fall routine begins,” said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “The top cities on the domestic and international lists are Seattle and Vancouver, both port cities for Alaska cruises. While some people are going on dream cruises or European vacations, many travelers are staying closer to home and taking road trips to nearby beaches or national parks.”

Read about the evolution of road trips and how retailers along key travel routes are building unique experiences to make their stores a memorable piece of customers’ journeys in the article “Worth the Road Trip!,” featured in the May 2025 issue of NACS Magazine.