What to expect with gas prices, traffic and airport crowds over Labor Day
Taking a road trip this Labor Day weekend? It may save you money, as pumping gas is cheaper in 40 other states outside Illinois, AAA data shows.
Statewide, prices are averaging $4.07 for a gallon of regular and hover at $4.33 in the Chicago area. The Land of Lincoln ranks as the 10th-priciest market in the U.S. for fuel, while California is No. 1, AAA reported. The national average is $3.83 a gallon.
Closer to home, gas averages are $3.60 in Wisconsin, $3.69 in Indiana and $3.74 in Michigan.
And as Hurricane Idalia pummels the Gulf Coast, gas prices could feel the impact.
"Ongoing concerns regarding potential storm activity could hinder falling pump prices this fall," AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement last week.
Travelers heading to O'Hare or Midway international airports for the long weekend should expect crowds.
The busiest day will be Monday, when more than 245,00 passengers will charge through O'Hare and 57,000 through Midway, the Chicago Department of Aviation said.
The department urged people picking up passengers to consider using free cellphone lots at both airports.
And given ongoing Kennedy Expressway construction, flyers are encouraged to use the CTA's Blue Line to O'Hare and Orange Line to Midway. Metra's North Central Service also has a weekday service between Union Station and the O'Hare Transfer Station.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration projected nationwide passenger volumes will be nearly 11% higher than in 2022 and surpass 2019 totals.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske advised travelers to arrive at the airport two hours before scheduled flights.
The agency is "working closely with our airline and airport partners to make sure we are maintaining our wait-time standards of 30 minutes and under for standard screening lanes," Pekoske said in a statement.
The Illinois tollway also anticipates Friday will be its most crowded, with a nearly 27% spike in vehicles - 1.9 million compared to 1.5 million.
The agency will suspend construction lane closures between noon Friday and 9 a.m. Tuesday.