For many, Labor Day weekend is the time of year when we try to hit the road for one last hurrah before kids go back to school and we look ahead to fall. But in Arizona, plenty of school kids are already back at their desks, and we still won't see the usual tell-tale signs of fall — like cooler weather — until October and November.
Those traveling by car during Labor Day weekend will want to avoid the freeways Friday afternoon and early evening hours, as those times will be the most congested, according to AAA. Drivers will find it preferable to start their road trips in the morning. Unless they’re leaving on Saturday, when the best time to travel by car is in the afternoon. Travelers returning to Arizona on Sunday and on Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic in the afternoon, AAA reported.
“Drivers should expect the most severe traffic jams before the holiday weekend as commuters mix with travelers,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, said in a AAA news release . “Monitoring traffic apps, local news stations, and 511 traveler information services may help drivers navigate around congestion and reduce driver frustration this Labor Day.”
Follow coverage from Republic reporters throughout the holiday weekend.
Travelers heading to the Grand Canyon should expect restrictions on overnight accommodations as two areas of the park recover from flash floods and water supply disruptions.
According to park rangers, hotel and lodging services at the South Rim have been suspended due to multiple breaks in the park’s canyon-wide water supply line.
There will be no overnight lodging at hotels El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Delaware North's Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Lodging outside the town of Tusayan would not be impacted by park operations , according to Grand Canyon National Park spokesperson Joelle Baird.
Havasupai Falls and stays at nearby Supai Village were suspended until late September after dramatic flooding closed the region and claimed the life of one Gilbert woman as well as leaving more than 100 tribal members and hikers stranded.
— Rey Covarrubias
If you’re not ready for your long holiday weekend to end, there are still a few federal holidays left in 2024.
After Labor Day, these federal holidays are left in 2024:
Monday, Oct. 14 ― Columbus Day.
Monday, Nov. 11 ― Veterans Day.
Thursday, Nov. 28 ― Thanksgiving Day.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 ― Christmas Day.
― Staff reports
The eastbound lanes of Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) were closed earlier near Higley Road, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
At about 7 p.m., the eastbound lanes reopened, according to ADOT.
The closure was due to a crash at milepost 38.
Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov , the az511 app (download for Apple or Android devices) or by calling 511.
— Staff reports
Highway patrol officers will be out in force over the Labor Day weekend to assist travelers and manage any accidents that occur.
Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bart Graves noted that a heightened police presence can help reduce the number of accidents typically seen during this busy holiday period. In 2023, 18 people lost their lives in 15 separate crashes across the state, with all six fatal incidents involving alcohol, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
“The best strategy for drivers is to travel during off-peak hours, such as early in the morning,” Graves advised.
He also reminded drivers to get ample rest before hitting the road, prioritize safety by staying alert, and avoid driving distracted. Graves emphasized the importance of driving sober, pointing out that rideshare and taxi options are significantly less costly than the consequences of a DUI charge, as noted by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
— Rey Covarrubias
No major freeway closures or restrictions were expected to affect Arizona highways during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
The Arizona Department of Transportation announced that no construction-related closures were scheduled to accommodate the anticipated increase in travel.
ADOT urged drivers to check their car's tire pressure and engine fluids before hitting the road and to prepare for potential delays and emergencies on busy routes.
While no new closures are planned, existing work zones, such as ADOT's State Route 89A rockfall mitigation between Flagstaff and Sedona, will remain active.
ADOT also emphasized the importance of safety precautions, noting that 18 lives have been lost on Arizona freeways in 2023, compared to 15 in 2022.
— Rey Covarrubias
As of 4 p.m., isolated thunderstorms had been lingering over the higher terrain in central Arizona, as well as parts of La Paz and Maricopa counties, according to the National Weather Service.
Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., gusty winds from these storms were expected to push into the Valley, although new storm development there was expected to be limited, the NWS reported.
— Coleby Phillips
As of noon on Friday, the eastbound lanes of U.S. 60 at Grand Avenue had reopened, while the westbound lanes remained closed, according to ADOT.
Both directions of U.S. 60 in Phoenix were closed due to law enforcement activity at 35th Avenue earlier Friday, the Arizona Department of Transportation had announced.
Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Mayra Reeson said the closure was related to reports of a shooting early Friday morning, when police reportedly found a man dead underneath the freeway bridge.
Reeson said more information would be available once officers concluded an initial investigation. Homicide detectives were at the scene.
Just before 8 p.m., ADOT said the eastbound lanes were reopened and traffic on the U.S. 60 was back to normal.
Real-time traffic updates are available on ADOT's website and the AZ511 app.
— Coleby Phillips
Labor Day is actually older than the 1894 act by Congress. The holiday has a longer history, beginning about 12 years earlier in New York. On Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City the first Labor Day celebration was held.
This first celebration was held at a time when conditions for workers were far from where they are now. In the late 1800s, Americans worked 12 hours a day, including weekends, and children worked alongside their parents in the mines and factories of the day.
The first celebration was also a sort of one-day strike, with workers asking for better pay and shorter hours. These demands from the labor movement eventually gave us the eight-hour workday and five-day workweek.
Although New York had held an unofficial Labor Day celebration in 1882, almost five years later, Oregon was the first state to declare it an official holiday with Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York following suit.
By 1894, when Labor Day was declared a national holiday by President Grover Cleveland, 23 states had already adopted the holiday.
— Republic staff
If your Labor Day plans include a road trip or even a drive across town, here’s how you can save money on gas.
Gasbuddy.com shows local gas station prices online or on its app and tells you where to find the cheapest.
Geico.com is another source, with their search for "local gas prices." You can take advantage of this service whether or not you're a customer of the insurer.
You can also search local gas prices on Google Maps and Waze, which also offers tips on carpooling. Mapquest has a gasoline icon that you can tap to see prices in your area.
Driving habits like going slower on highways, using cruise control if you have it, and accelerating and braking gradually can improve fuel economy.
Keeping your tires properly inflated, replacing dirty air filters, removing excess cargo from your vehicle, making sure the gasoline cap is on tight and reducing idling, if possible, can all help you save some gas.
Use gas rewards programs. Circle K Easy Pay, grocery store discount programs, or using a GasBuddy gas savings card are some of the most popular options. Fry's Food Store customers can redeem points at Fry’s or participating Shell gas stations. A similar program is offered at Albertsons and Safeway stores in Arizona, where rewards can be redeemed for savings at Safeway, Chevron and Texaco gas stations.
— Laura Daniella Sepulveda
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Labor Day weekend in Arizona: Expect restrictions at Grand Canyon
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