The Labor Day Report

Last Updated: 08/2025 by Luca West

This year, long-standing Labor Day traditions are becoming a thing of the past. A mix of rising travel costs, changing work-life priorities, and lingering summer fatigue is changing how Americans plan to spend the holiday. Our survey of 1,000 U.S. citizens reveals surprising shifts in Labor Day habits — from scaled-back gatherings to new ways of marking the unofficial end of summer.

Key Findings

Nearly 2 in 3 Americans are planning to drive for Labor Day travel, with just 13% heading to the airport.
1 in 4 flights are delayed on the Friday before Labor Day, making it the worst day to fly — Sunday and Tuesday offer the best odds, with 86% of flights arriving on time.
1 in 5 Gen Z travelers are skipping air travel this Labor Day due to safety concerns.
Rising costs and inflation are forcing nearly 1 in 5 Americans to scale back or shorten their Labor Day plans.
More than 1 in 6 Americans (17%) will be working over Labor Day weekend because they need the extra income.
17% of Americans who work full-time plan to call out or ghost their employer to make their Labor Day weekend last longer.
20% of Americans say their Labor Day weekend has been ruined by bad weather in the past, making it one of the top travel concerns in 2025.

The Great Labor Day Wallet Check

Over two-thirds (67%) of Americans celebrate Labor Day every year, and just about everyone has celebrated at some point in their lives, enjoying the long-standing long weekend to end the summer.

This year, however, inflation is prompting most to scale back or cancel their Labor Day plans. Only 1 in 3 (35%) say rising costs haven’t influenced their holiday plans, but the rest are cutting trips short or skipping them entirely.

It’s no surprise the rising cost of travel is affecting most people’s Labor Day plans, given that 65% of Americans are budgeting $500 at most for their holiday expenses, including travel, food, and outdoor activities.

So while most Americans are altering their plans to fit budgets this year, many are finding creative ways to cut spending and still enjoy celebrating Labor Day.

Planes Down, Cars Up: The Great “Drivecation”

Driving is the most popular mode of transportation for this upcoming Labor Day weekend, with 64% of Americans planning to drive to their destinations and only 13% planning on flying. This may in part be because 35% of people are planning to travel with their families this Labor Day.

It could also be due to the sting of airline ticket prices. Over one quarter of Americans (26%) plan to avoid the airport completely this year because it’s too expensive to fly.

Besides the expense, concerns about air travel safety have also led many to avoid air travel. Recent incidents like the Alaska Airlines IT outage and the crash of Air India flight 171 have contributed to rising public concern — and possibly the surge in Americans’ planning to travel by car this Labor Day.

Younger Americans seem particularly affected by the recent cluster of air travel-related tragedies and operational mishaps, as 1 in 5 millennials and Gen Zers say they’re avoiding Labor Day air travel due to safety issues.

Friday Fears & Monday Magic

Labor Day weekend is an especially busy time for travel. This surge in demand often leads to crowded airports, congested highways, and overbooked transportation systems, resulting in many typical disruptions that travelers must deal with over the holiday.

The majority (63%) of travelers have experienced a delay while traveling for the Labor Day weekend. Most delays (29%) last between one and three hours, though 18% of Americans have experienced flight or road trip delays longer than three hours.

Concerns about congestion and the overall chaos of holiday travel have people feeling anxious about the upcoming long weekend. 1 in 3 Americans feels more stressed about Labor Day travel this year than in previous years, with 22% citing crowds and delays as the reason for their heightened anxiety.

One of the best ways to avoid these headaches? Not traveling during the height of the holiday rush. Flying on these less crowded days helps travelers dodge peak demand, leading to shorter waits and a smoother boarding experience.

Bureau of Transportation data shows that the Friday before Labor Day is the worst day to fly for delays, with just 76% of flights arriving on time. In contrast, the Sunday before and the Tuesday after the holiday are the most reliable days to fly, each with an 86% on-time arrival rate.

Regrets, We’ve Had a Few (But We’re Still Going)

The majority (60%) of Americans have regretted traveling on Labor Day in years past. Most commonly, these regrets are caused by unexpected traffic (25%), bad weather (20%), heavy crowds (19%), and excessive costs (15%). Flight delays and cancellations (13%) also rank among the top frustrations.

Still, 40% report they’ve never had reason to regret Labor Day travel. For those hoping to keep it that way, choosing lower-demand travel days and opting for less-crowded destinations — like state parks or local lakes instead of packed beaches and tourist hotspots — can help minimize delays and stress.

In Tech We (Sort‑of) Trust

Amid concerns about navigating Labor Day congestion, some Americans are turning to travel tech — such as flight tracking apps, booking platforms, and navigation tools — to organize their trips more efficiently and avoid delays. However, over half (52%) still have doubts and don’t trust travel tech tools to work reliably over the long weekend.

Only 31% of Americans fully trust these systems with their plans, highlighting that even with modern advancements, holiday travel anxiety still runs deep.

Stretching the Weekend: PTO Hacks & Work Realities

Americans are now looking to “hack” their holidays to make the most of their long weekends. Nearly half (44%) with full-time jobs plan to take paid time off (PTO) before or after Labor Day this year, with an additional 17% admitting to calling in sick for extra time off.

But not all Americans have the flexibility to take vacations for the holiday weekend in this economy. 33% of Americans with full-time jobs plan to work this Labor Day because of financial reasons. While 16% can’t afford to take time off at all, an additional 17% choose to work the holiday for needed overtime pay — a notable benefit as inflation continues to drive up the cost of living in the U.S.

Where Americans Actually Want To Be

Americans celebrate Labor Day in a variety of ways, ranking a backyard barbecue as their top activity, followed by simply hanging out with friends and family. Water activities like going to the beach, a lake, or a river are Americans’ third-place pick for the long weekend.

As the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day offers a “final” chance to enjoy the outdoors before the weather shifts. In fact, 85% of Americans say access to outdoor activities is an important part of their holiday plans. Swimming tops the list of favorite activities, with 37% planning a trip to a beach, lake, or other waterfront spot. Another 17% plan to spend the weekend playing outside with their children, while 16% will head out camping to maximize their time in nature.

For activities like camping, swimming, and cycling, high-quality outdoor gear can make all the difference. From reliable sleeping bags and coolers to sturdy bike helmets, well-maintained bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks, the right equipment sets the stage for memorable outdoor adventures. The quality gear also enhances comfort and performance, ensuring a safer, smoother, and more enjoyable Labor Day celebration.

When Rising Costs Change the Plan

For families, Labor Day expenses multiply quickly, and inflation is making it harder to justify or sustain traditional outdoor outings. This year, more than half (58%) of Americans are altering their Labor Day outdoor activity plans in response to rising costs, and 73% of families with one or more children are also skipping activities they normally do and opting for cheaper alternatives.

1 in 3 (33%) of Americans say that high costs are actually preventing them from participating in their ideal Labor Day outdoor activity. Another 17% don’t have enough time off and can’t afford to miss work to enjoy their favorite outdoor plans.

If you’re headed to lakes, rivers, or local parks, a packable setup—inflatable paddleboard or kayak plus a hand pump—lets you skip rentals and make the most of short windows.

Spending Smart on the Great Outdoors

For many people, outdoor activities offer an affordable alternative to costlier forms of recreation like hotel stays and theme parks. 50% of Americans plan to spend less than $100 on outdoor Labor Day activities such as bike or kayak rentals, park admission, or activity-related costs.

Saving Money With DIY Car‑Pools and Cookouts

To counter rising prices, Americans are taking creative steps to make their Labor Day celebrations more affordable. Strategies like staying local (32%), driving instead of flying (29%), choosing affordable outdoor activities (27%), and even carpooling (11%) are popular for cutting Labor Day celebration costs and reducing the biggest holiday weekend expenses — transportation, lodging, and entertainment.

Many families with kids (32%) are saving money by hosting cookouts at home rather than dining out. Backyard barbecues, potlucks, and casual gatherings allow everyone to pitch in, take advantage of bulk buys and sales, and avoid restaurant markups — all while enjoying a laid-back day of cooking, outdoor games, and quality time together. For families spending the weekend outside, kids bikes and youth helmets make neighborhood loops or park paths easy wins.

This year’s Labor Day reflects how rising costs, safety concerns, and shifting priorities are reshaping the holiday. While inflation and high airfare have grounded many travelers, Americans are keeping the spirit alive with creative budgeting, flexible plans, and local, low-cost activities. From backyard cookouts to low-cost lake days, the focus is less on miles traveled and more on the people and experiences that make the weekend memorable.

Methodology

To understand how Americans approach Labor Day planning, we surveyed 1,000 adults across the country who celebrate the holiday. Participants answered a series of questions about Labor Day travel, activities, and the impact of economic conditions on their spending. Responses were analyzed by demographic groups to identify trends and disparities.

All percentages have been rounded to the nearest tenth for clarity. To determine the best and worst days for flying, we analyzed four years' worth of data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).

Fair Use Policy

Users are welcome to utilize the insights and findings from this study for noncommercial purposes, such as academic research, educational presentations, and personal reference. When referencing or citing this article, please ensure proper attribution to maintain the integrity of the research. Direct linking to this article is permissible, and access to the original source of information is encouraged.

For commercial use or publication purposes, including but not limited to media outlets, websites, and promotional materials, please contact the authors for permission and licensing details. We appreciate your respect for intellectual property rights and adherence to ethical citation practices. Thank you for your interest in our research.

-----------------------------

About retrospec:

The outside is for everyone, but not everyone feels comfortable outside. So we set out to make everyone feel at home in the open air through the use of expertly designed, durably crafted, accessibly priced outdoor gear - electric bikes, pedal bikes, kids bikes, stand up paddle boards and more - our goal at retrospec is simple: make nature second nature for everyone. We believe that all people, regardless of background or experience, should enjoy the life-affirming, eye-opening beauty of the outside world. We encourage a more active lifestyle and make being outdoors fun and inviting for people of any age, ability, or skill level.