TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Airports, highways, beaches and theme parks are expected to be packed across the U.S. this Labor Day weekend as a lot of Americans mark the unofficial end of summer.
Dallas Fort Worth Airport officials have prepared for one of their busiest travel holiday weekends of the year.
DFW Airport expects close to 1.4 million travelers over the 2024 Labor Day weekend. The airport projects Friday and Monday to be the busiest with about a quarter of a million people passing through the airport on those days.
Before you get on the road be prepared for heavier traffic around DFW Airport. Travelers should also have a parking plan by using parking apps to pay for a parking spot ahead of time. There are also remote locations to park and shuttle to the airport that cost less per day than on-site parking.
According to airport officials, expect longer wait times at security checkpoints. Travelers should consider arriving at least 2 to 3 hours before their flight.
Newlyweds Shane & Jennifer Damico are using the Labor Day weekend for some personal time together. They realized on their day of travel that they would be joining thousands of others doing the same thing.
"Just the security lines. We never know what it's going to look like, and we don't have TSA Precheck either," Jennifer Damico said.
They arrived at DFW a little more than two hours ahead of their scheduled flight just in case.
"You don't know what that crowd will look like to get in. And flight time has changed so often lately," Damico said.
Dr. Cherry Collier is trying to get back home to Atlanta this holiday weekend after a business trip to North Texas. Dr. Collier is a Clinical Psychologist with more than 25 years of experience and specializes in providing therapy for individuals, couples, and families.
Dr. Collier has a particular focus on helping clients navigate issues related to relationships, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.
"I realized it was Labor Day and I was listening to the news as said hold on, I have a problem here. So, my flight leaves at six, but I'm going on standby earlier because I want to get out of here. I do not want to get stuck." Dr. Collier said.
Drivers are getting a break on gasoline. The nationwide average Friday was $3.35 per gallon, compared to $3.83 a year ago, according to AAA.
For electric vehicles, the average price for a kilowatt of power at an L2 commercial charging station is about 34 cents.
Transportation data provider INRIX says traffic will be heaviest between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, when people head home.
AAA officials say travelers should also account for weather delays. No matter how you travel don't forget to pack your patience.