5 things to know before traveling this Labor Day weekend

A three-day holiday weekend might entice some people to get in one more road trip before summer comes to an end.

Officials are urging travelers to exercise caution as they travel this Labor Day.

“As Labor Day weekend is a popular time for travel and celebrating, PennDOT is urging drivers to plan ahead and designate a sober driver if they are planning to drink,” said PennDOT District 11 Safety Press Officer Yasmeen Manyisha.

She reminded drivers to wear seatbelts, and Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Mark Compton reminded drivers to “be alert” and “properly prepared.”

“As summer comes to an official close and the remnants of Hurricane Ida subside, families may be considering travel options closer to home this year,” Compton said. “If so, we remind those traveling by car that speeding and distracted driving have become much more acute since the pandemic.”

Here are five things drivers should know before hitting the road this Labor Day weekend:

How many people will be on the roads?

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is anticipating more than 2.7 million people will travel on the Turnpike between Sept. 2 and Sept. 7.

That marks a 5.6% decrease in holiday traffic during the same period in 2019, Turnpike officials said.

Friday is expected to be the busiest day for travel, according to the Turnpike Commission. Officials estimate about 700,000 vehicles will travel on the Turnpike system on Friday.

Turnpike officials are estimating about 650,000 vehicles on Thursday, 520,000 on Saturday, 440,000 on Sunday, 450,000 on Monday and 590,000 on Tuesday.

What will gas prices be?

The average gas price in the Pittsburgh region was $3.31 on Thursday, according to data compiled by GasBuddy. That’s above the national average, which is between $3.16 and $3.19.

At this time last year, gas prices in Pittsburgh were under $2.60, with prices in mid-September dipping as low as $2.46, according to GasBuddy. National averages in 2020 were listed at around $2.21 in early September.

Should drivers expect slowdowns and construction?

In an effort to accommodate heavier holiday traffic, the Pennsylvania Turnpike will suspend maintenance and construction from 3 p.m. Thursday until 11 p.m. Monday. All available lanes will be open in each direction throughout the weekend.

Still, Compton warned that drivers should “expect some delays and changes in weather.”

PennDOT is also pausing “the majority” of their projects on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Manyisha said.

“As far as congestion, we don’t usually see a whole lot in the area,” she said, though PennDOT does not have specific records of travel figures.

Drivers can check 511PA.com or the 511PA app for real-time updates on restrictions and travel delays.

Will law enforcement be on alert for impaired drivers?

Local and state law enforcement will “target impaired drivers through enforcement details” this weekend, PennDOT said, urging people not to drive while drunk or while impaired by illegal drugs or prescription medications.

In 2020, there were 4,698 crashes, which resulted in 39 fatalities over Labor Day weekend statewide, PennDOT reported. Of those, 231 crashes resulting in 12 deaths were alcohol-related, and 104 wrecks causing three fatalities were drug-related, according to PennDOT.

“The PA Turnpike will have patrols and safety teams throughout the system who are there to assure travelers get safely to their destination,” Turnpike officials wrote in a press release. “That means responding to travelers in need of assistance, as well as taking action against illegal or unsafe behaviors.”

What do health experts say about traveling for Labor Day weekend this year?

Whether health experts condone travel is dependent on vaccination status.

“First and foremost, if you are unvaccinated, we would not recommend traveling,” Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said during a White House press briefing on Tuesday.

People “who are fully vaccinated and who are wearing masks” can travel in accordance with CDC recommendations, Walensky said. But, considering the levels of covid-19 transmission in America, people should take “these risks into their own consideration as they think about traveling,” Walensky said.