Sep 1, 2026 - News
Leave early to beat Labor Day traffic
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Getting out of town for Labor Day weekend? Leave early Thursday.
Why it matters: Peak holiday congestion could add serious time to your trip.
Zoom in: Westbound traffic out of Metro Detroit is expected to see the most congestion, according to transportation data firm INRIX, which works with AAA to calculate travel times.
- Detroit to Grand Rapids on I-96 is projected to take 3 hours and 28 minutes around 4:45pm Thursday — 37% longer than normal.
The big picture: Sunday is expected to be the easiest day to drive, with minimal traffic, per INRIX.
Gas prices: Road trippers also face higher gas prices this Labor Day than last year, when the national average was $3.19 a gallon, per AAA.
- Regular gas in Wayne County on Monday was $4.13 a gallon on average.
The bottom line: When in doubt, hit the road early.