Labor Day weekend is a few days away. Here's some tips before hitting the road in California

Many Californian motorists are expected to hit the road early for Labor Day weekend. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're one of them.

When is Labor Day 2024?

Labor Day is on Monday, Sept. 2.

What to know before hitting the road for Labor Day 2024

"All across the country, including California, the busiest days will be Thursday and Friday afternoons," said Doug Shupe, corporate communications manager at the Auto Club's Los Angeles office. "We recommend that if you are traveling, leave as early in the day as possible."

Leaving at 8 or 9 a.m. will help motorists avoid congestion during the afternoon rush hours, Shupe said Monday. He added traffic will be particularly bad because of the mix of travelers and drivers coming home from work.

It's a different story on Saturday. Shupe recommended motorists wait until noon or 1 p.m. because many people will leave on Saturday morning to avoid traffic.

Monday will be a busy day for traffic with motorists returning from their Labor Day vacation, Shupe said. He advises leaving in the morning to beat the afternoon rush.

If motorists are able, Tuesday's a better day to return, he said.

What are gas prices like for Labor Day weekend?

AAA doesn't maintain data in the state for the number of Labor Day weekend drivers, Shupe said. But the Auto Club does keep track of gasoline prices, which are falling in California and across the nation.

The state's average Monday was $4.605 a gallon, according to AAA. One year ago, the price was $5.275 a gallon.

California motorists will fill their tanks to go to their four most popular destinations during the holiday weekend: Disneyland, San Diego, the state's Central Coast and the Grand Canyon, Shupe said.

AAA describes Labor Day weekend as families' "last hurrah" before school begins.

"To make the most of the trips, the Auto Club recommends identifying must-see sights and creating a flexible itinerary ahead of time," AAA said.

Labor Day 2024 driving tips

Shupe recommended Labor Day weekend motorists:

• Get seven hours of sleep.
• Follow speed limits. In addition to being safer during increased traffic, drivers will avoid a ticket from the California Highway Patrol, which will be out in full force, Shupe said.
• Don't drive intoxicated and don't text while driving. "Using smartphones can be just as deadly as driving intoxicated," Shupe said.
• Pack luggage inside the car and not on top of it, to save on gas

Labor Day 2024 air travel tips

"Airports will be busy. We recommend getting there at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three hours before international flights," Shupe said.

He also recommends travelers:

• Download airline apps to check on departure times and cancellations.
• Reserve spaces in long-term parking lots before heading to the airport.
• Check the Transportation Security Administration screening line before leaving it. Commonly left items are wallets, belts, keys and laptops, Shupe said.
• Know the TSA rules, including keeping all liquids for carry-on baggage to less than 3 ounces.

Why is Labor Day a holiday?

Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894 under then-President Grover Cleveland. The holiday was to be observed on the first Monday in September annually, according to the U.S. Department of Labor .

Labor Day dates back to the labor movement of the 19th century , where labor activists pushed for the holiday to recognize that it was workers who were behind America’s prosperity, according to the federal department. The first recorded Labor Day celebration took place in 1882 in New York.

Do people work on Labor Day?

Labor Day is a federal holiday, so large corporations and many other companies offer it as part of their paid holiday package. Many workers in the hospitality, retail and other service industries still have to work on Labor Day, however.

This story includes previous reporting by Desert Sun reporter Paris Barraza.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Labor Day weekend is a few days away. Here's some tips before hitting the road in California