Labor Day weekend is on the horizon, which means an unofficial end to the summer season. Why not spend it with Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, or some sea creatures?
Labor Day is Monday, Sept. 7, and it gives many Floridians a three-day weekend for family visits, beach trips and out-of-town travel, especially to Florida’s theme parks.
Ahead of the holiday, AAA and transportation data and insights provider INRIX have determined the best and worst times to travel by car over the holiday weekend. They also named one of Florida’s most touristy cities on their list of the top Labor Day destinations in the U.S. this year.
If you want to spend the three-day weekend at Disney World, Universal Studios or any of Florida’s theme parks, here’s what to know about traveling and what the weather forecast will look like.
What are the top travel destinations for Labor Day weekend? Orlando ranks high
Orlando unsurprisingly ranked high on AAA’s list of the top 10 most popular Labor Day weekend destinations in the U.S. for 2026, in second place, right behind Seattle, Washington.
AAA’s top 10 domestic Labor Day destinations:
- Seattle
- Orlando
- Boston
- Denver
- New York
- Chicago
- Anaheim/Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- Anchorage
- Atlanta
What is the busiest travel day this Labor Day weekend?
Florida drivers should consider leaving before the busiest daytime travel periods and allow extra time for stops, weather delays and traffic near popular destinations.
The best times to travel, according to transportation data and insights provider INRIX, are expected to be:
- Thursday, Sept. 3: Before 1 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 4: Before noon
- Saturday, Sept. 5: Before 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: Minimal traffic expected
- Monday, Sept. 7: Before noon
The worst times will be:
- Thursday, Sept. 3: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 4: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 5: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: Minimal traffic expected
- Monday, Sept. 7: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For the return trip, travelers should also plan ahead rather than assume highways will be clear on Labor Day afternoon or evening.
What will the Florida weather forecast look like?
Labor Day falls during the busiest months of the Atlantic hurricane season and just days away from the historical peak of the season.
So what does that mean for the holiday weekend’s weather? Hot and rainy throughout the state. Here’s what the forecast looks like in Orlando and Tampa, where the state’s theme parks are housed:
Orlando weather
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 103. East-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
- Friday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11 am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South-southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Saturday: A chance of thunderstorms, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 8 am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday: A chance of thunderstorms, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 8 am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 92. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tampa weather
- Thursday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2 pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 102. East-southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
- Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms between 8 am and 2 pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 pm. High near 92. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8 am and 2 pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west-southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tampa, Orlando, Central Florida weather radar
Tips for smoother Labor Day travel
AAA recommends travelers prepare in advance to minimize stress and potential disruptions before you pull out of the driveway:
- Check tire pressure, fluid levels, the battery and the spare tire.
- Pack emergency supplies such as water, snacks, a flashlight and jumper cables.
- Fill up before entering high-traffic tourist or coastal areas.
- Monitor traffic conditions; leave early.
- Check weather conditions and have alternate routes ready.
- Confirm flights, reservations, parking plans and pickup times before leaving.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Going to Florida theme parks on Labor Day weekend? Best travel times
Reporting by Samantha Neely and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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