Watch CBS News

Marylanders Head Home After Long Labor Day Weekend

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It may be a holiday but the roads are filling up as millions of Americans head home after traveling for the long Labor Day weekend.

Derek Valcourt has more on the return rush.

Thirty-five million Americans are traveling on Labor Day.

That final trip to the beach marks the end of summer for many---but then comes the trip home.

"It's terrible," said Tim Slaughter.

Slaughter and his family are among the tens of thousands crossing the Bay Bridge on Labor Day.

"It's taken me three and a half hours to get to this point," he said.

AAA Mid-Atlantic says 635,000 traveled 50 or more miles this holiday weekend---that's up 1.4% over last year. It's the third highest Labor Day weekend on record in Maryland.

"An improved labor market and positive consumer outlook is contributing to this year's uptick. People are enthusiastic about traveling for Labor Day. We saw this with July 4th and with Memorial Day," said Christine Delise, AAA Mid-Atlantic.

AAA says another reason more people are on the roads this weekend is lower prices at the pump.

WJZ Pump Watch shows last month, the average price per gallon in Maryland sat at $3.55. This weekend, it's down 17 cents at $3.38.

While most travelers chose to drive to their final summer destination, 2.7 million Americans took to the sky. In Maryland, that's more than 53,000 flyers, most making their way to BWI.

Across Maryland, police were also out in full force this Labor Day weekend in an effort to crack down on drunk driving, speeding and handheld cell phone use.

The increase in travel for this Labor Day follows higher travel numbers for the Memorial Day and Independence Day weekends, as well.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.