Labor Day weekend is the third-busiest travel weekend of the year in the US. I learned this the hard way in 2022 when I spent four hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-95, watching the ETA on my GPS tick later and later while my coffee got cold and my spirit left my body.

Since then, I have figured out a few things that actually help. Not the generic “leave early” advice — specific tactics that make a real difference.

The Thursday Strategy

Everyone leaves Friday after work. That is the problem. If you can take Thursday off — or even just Thursday afternoon — you beat the entire wave. Friday morning traffic is bad. Thursday afternoon traffic is normal. The difference is two to three hours of your life you do not get back.

If Thursday is impossible, Friday at 5am works. Not 6am — by 6am the early risers are on the road. 5am. Yes, it hurts. But you will be at your destination by 10am while everyone else is still inching along.

Reverse the Return

Everyone comes home Monday afternoon. Come home Tuesday morning instead. Take Tuesday off if you can. Monday evening is also better than Monday afternoon. The worst window is 11am-6pm Monday. Avoid it like a sunburn.

Airport-Specific Hacks

• TSA PreCheck or Clear. At this point, not having it during holiday travel is self-inflicted suffering. The line difference is staggering.
• Carry-on only. No checked bags. The baggage claim on Labor Day weekend looks like a lost-and-found convention.
• Book the first flight out. 6am flights are less likely to be delayed because the plane is already there from the night before.
• Pack snacks. Airport food lines during holiday weekends can be 20+ minutes. A granola bar in your bag beats a $15 sad sandwich.