The numbers of people traveling by road and air are expected to be higher this Labor Day weekend.
AAA is forecasting a higher volume of traffic over the customary end-of-summer long weekend, John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs, said in an Aug. 29 press release.
“This has proven a robust summer travel season, and Labor Day will be no exception in all likelihood,” explained Townsend. “Those opting to travel during the Labor Day holiday weekend can expect plenty of company in the skies and plenty of competition along every highway mile marker.”
While AAA no longer issues official estimates for the number of cars on the road over Labor Day weekend, Townsend told WTOP in Washington, D.C., that the organization expects a higher number than Labor Day 2018’s calculation of 35 million people traveling at least 50 mi. from home.
That higher volume of road traffic is mainly due to lower gas prices; AAA also reported that the $2.59-per-gallon average price for 87-octane fuel is the lowest in three years heading into the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Gas prices in Warwick, as of Thursday, Aug. 29, were trending 8 cents lower than the national average, according to GasPriceWatch.com, with a low of $2.38 and a high of $2.69 at various locations in the city.
Potentially complicating in-state road travel are construction-related closures and lane shifts on Rhode Island’s highways that Rhode Island Department of Transportation publishes every week. | See roadwork alerts from RIDOT
More passengers expected on airlines
Airline travel is also expected to be higher, according to industry group Airlines for America, with 17.5 million passengers taking flights in 2019, a 4-percent increase over 2018.
The highest-volume days for air travel will be Friday and Monday, with the lowest number of flyers expected on Sunday, the group noted.
With the increase volume of air travelers, passengers are reminded to arrive at least two hours early for departures, and check the federal Transportation Security Administration website for the list of items that are prohibited from checked bags and carry-ons.
T.F. Green Airport in Warwick offers additional travel tips for passengers departing or arriving at Rhode Island’s largest airport, and posts information on delays and cancellations on its website. | Check flight status at T.F. Green Airport
Author: Joe Hutnak - [email protected]
Co-Founder and Editor-at-Large of Warwick Post. For Warwick Post-related inquiries or communications, email [email protected]
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