If you’re planning one last summer getaway, gas prices and weather — for the most part — will be good traveling companions this Labor Day weekend.
Summer gas prices have remained low, matching summer averages in 2021, according to AAA.
Although prices have crept up in the last week, the national average of $3.20 for a gallon of regular remains lower than last year’s $3.33 on Labor Day.
Barring a tropical storm or hurricane affecting Gulf Coast refineries, AAA said, gas prices should stay below what they were last year.
So far in 2025, officials noted, gas prices have seen few fluctuations because of steady crude oil prices.
GasBuddy, an app-based fuel savings service, said in a release that average gas prices on the last summer holiday weekend of 2025 will be $3.15 per gallon, 14 cents lower than in 2024, and the lowest price at the pump on Labor Day since 2020.
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.
Motorists can expect more relief to arrive in the coming weeks as much of the nation will see the transition back to cheaper winter gasoline in mid-September, GasBuddy said. Gasoline demand will also soon begin to fall with the end of summer as motorists take fewer road trips and as temperatures start to fall.
“Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, and when it comes to gas prices, it’s been the cheapest summer to hit the road since the pandemic, a trend that will likely continue with the potential for the national average to fall below $3 per gallon this fall,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “We’ve seen a remarkably affordable summer to hit the road with incomes up and gas prices down, but there are some challenges that remain: hurricane season and uncertainty over trade, tariffs and Russia’s war on Ukraine. However, I remain optimistic that as cooler weather invades, gas prices too will seasonally cool off.”
According to AAA, the average price of gas as of Wednesday:
• Nation: $3.20
• Pennsylvania: $3.31
• Berks County: $3.28
• Chester County: $3.22
• Delaware County: $3.23
• Lehigh County: $3.25
• Montgomery County: $3.24
• Schuylkill County: $3.13
Weather
The weather — a little bit cooler than typical for this time of year — shouldn’t have much of an impact on holiday plans, with mostly sunny and dry conditions through the holiday.
AccuWeather’s extended forecast:
• Aug. 28: Nice with times of clouds and sun; high, 79; low 59.
• Aug. 29: Partly sunny with a couple of showers into the early afternoon; high, 77; low, 53.
• Aug. 30: Plenty of sunshine; a nice start to the holiday weekend; high, 77; low, 53.
• Aug. 31: Mostly sunny and beautiful; high, 78; low, 56.
• Sept. 1 (Labor Day): Mostly cloudy; high, 80; low, 57.
Travel times
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, advised motorists that the best times to drive over Labor Day weekend are before lunchtime. For those hitting the road Saturday, the earlier you head out, the better, as traffic congestion is expected to get worse as the day progresses.
The worst times to drive over the holiday weekend are typically in the afternoon and early evening, INRIX said. Saturday is expected to be extra busy with many drivers heading out of town or taking day trips.
The breakdown for traveling:
• Aug. 28: best before 1 p.m., worst between 1 and 8 p.m.
• Aug. 29: best before noon; worst between noon and 8 p.m.
• Aug. 30: best between 6 and 10 a.m.; worst between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Aug. 31: best before 11 a.m.; worst between noon and 5 p.m.
• Sept. 1 (Labor Day): best before noon; worst between 1 and 4 p.m.
PennDOT, state police
PennDOT and the state police are urging Pennsylvanians to celebrate the holiday responsibly.
Officials said state and local police will be conducting impaired driving enforcement details as part of the National Crackdown on Impaired Driving enforcement and education campaign through Labor Day.
The goal of targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of impaired driving-related crashes, injuries and deaths on roads throughout the state.
Over the four-day Labor Day holiday weekend last year, officials said, there were 1,002 crashes statewide, resulting in 13 fatalities and 722 injuries.
Of those crashes, 106 were alcohol related, resulting in four fatalities and 65 injuries; and 27 were drug-related, resulting in three fatalities and 22 injuries, they said.
“These numbers should be zero,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said in a release. “Crashes involving impaired drivers are completely preventable. If your celebration includes alcohol or drugs, make a plan to get home safely without getting behind the wheel impaired. Never choose to drive impaired.”
State police also made 514 DUI arrests and investigated 65 impaired-driving related crashes, three of which were fatal throughout last year’s Labor Day holiday weekend.
“Removing impaired drivers from our roads saves lives,” said Col. Christopher Paris, state police commissioner. “Our troopers will be out in force to help ensure everyone gets home safely. Please celebrate the holiday weekend responsibly.”
Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike projects 2.85 million customers will be use the system Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, a slight increase compared with 2024 volumes.
Officials offered these daily traffic counts:
• Aug. 28: 660,000
• Aug. 29: 710,000
• Aug. 30: 520,000
• Aug. 31: 480,000
• Sept. 1 (Labor Day): 480,000
All construction and maintenance projects will be suspended from 3 p.m. Aug. 28 until 11 p.m. Sept. 1 to ensure as many travel lanes are open as possible, officials said.
State police Troop T will have extra patrols during the holiday period to ensure drivers are following the posted speed limits, allowing proper distance between other vehicles and maintaining general respect for other motorists and driving conditions.
To stay up to date on turnpike conditions, use 511PA Smartphone App or go to 511pa.com.
