Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

0 sec ago

If you're hitting the road this Labor Day weekend, you'll be in good company

Courtesy / AAA AAA Northern New England urges drivers to be patient as they hit the road this busy Labor Day weekend.
By Peter Van Allen

Buckle up, there could be more drivers on the road this Labor Day Weekend than last.

Maine Turnpike Authority expects more than 1.12 million toll transactions between Friday and Monday on the 109-mile Maine Turnpike.

That's up 1.5% from the 1.1 million recorded on Labor Day weekend last year.

Friday is expected to be the busiest travel day on the Maine Turnpike, peaking between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Courtesy / Maine Turnpike Authority
The Maine Turnpike near Arundel in York County.

On Saturday, the heaviest volumes are expected between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in both directions. On Monday, southbound traffic is anticipated to peak between noon and 7 p.m.

Even the Tuesday after Labor Day could be busy, with people taking extended weekends or vacations, the authority warns. 

Construction and maintenance work will be suspended over the weekend, though work zones with speed restrictions will remain in place.

Maine Turnpike Authority's mascot, Miles the Moose, will greet visitors at the Kennebunk northbound service plaza on Friday, Aug. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Miles will be available for photos, and Turnpike staff will be available for on-camera interviews during this time.

Holiday weekend travelers will be greeted with a mix of weather. Rain is forecast for much of Maine Friday afternoon into part of Saturday, while Sunday and Monday are expected to be fair, with highs in the mid-70s. 

"We'll definitely see an increase in travel and it's expected to be a good weekend here in New England," Tom Baran, a Portland-based public affairs specialist at AAA Northern New England. 

He cautions drivers that Friday afternoon will see a mix of drivers leaving work and "an abundance of travelers" bound for weekend destinations. He expects 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. to be an especially busy time on the roads.

Baran's advice: "Be patient."

Other travel trends

AAA said this week that travelers will get some relief on hotel and car rental rates this weekend.

Hotel rates nationwide are 11% lower than a year ago, while rental car costs are 3% less. 

The top rental car markets, based on advanced bookings through AAA partner Hertz, are Orlando, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles and Atlanta. The busiest pickup day is Friday.  

Courtesy / Maine Turnpike Authority
A Maine Turnpike toll plaza and E-ZPass lanes.

Gas prices

GasBuddy reports that the average gas price will be $3.15 per gallon, 14 cents lower than in 2024.

It's the lowest Labor Day gas price since the pandemic (numbers below).  

"While it will be the most affordable Labor Day weekend to fill up for most in the last five years, gas prices in nearly half of all states have risen in the last month due to localized refinery outages," GasBuddy said in a press release.

Labor Day gas prices going back to 2020:

  • 2020: $2.22 a gallon
  • 2021: $3.16
  • 2022: $3.79
  • 2023 $3.77
  • 2024: $3.29
  • 2025: $3.15 (projected)

Sign up for Enews

Mainebiz web partners

Most Recent

Most Recent

Related Content

Thumbnail Maine braces for travel boom over long Labor Day weekend
Thumbnail With Gorham Connector proposal shelved, transportation officials look at other options

0 Comments

Order a PDF