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Labor Day travel: Chicago drivers face traffic and rain as holiday getaways begin

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Published  August 30, 2024 10:12am CDT
Travel
FOX 32 Chicago

Labor Day travel: Chicago drivers face traffic and rain as holiday getaways begin

With Labor Day weekend being a popular time for road trips, the open road was calling Friday as drivers packed up their trailers and mobile homes, taking the highway out of Chicago.

The Brief

    • Heavy rain and traffic are impacting Labor Day weekend road trips, particularly for those heading north from Chicago toward Wisconsin.
    • Despite the weather, record numbers of travelers are hitting the road, with AAA advising early departures to avoid congestion.
    • Lower gas prices are encouraging last-minute trips, with many families, like Christopher Shaw’s, continuing their holiday traditions.

CHICAGO - With Labor Day weekend being a popular time for road trips, the open road was calling Friday as drivers packed up their trailers and mobile homes, taking the highway out of Chicago.

There was heavy rain at the beginning of the holiday weekend, especially going north towards Wisconsin. And heavy traffic will continue to be an issue throughout the weekend. AAA said record numbers of people have a trip planned.

However, gas prices are making it more affordable to spend the last summer holiday having fun.

Christopher Shaw packed his truck for a Labor Day tradition, camping in Tigerton, Wisconsin.

"Me and about 25 other people, about four or six other families, so we got like 20 kids," Shaw said. "Just hanging on the river and enjoy ourselves there, play darts. So I load up my whole car, I got everything, got a tent, poles to walk in the river because I’m an old man. It will be lovely, 77 degrees each day."

Labor Day weekend gets off to a dreary start in Chicago

It's going to be a busy weekend on the roads and Friday morning rain made an impact on travelers ahead of Labor Day.

Drivers stopped at the Lake Forest oasis on Friday to fuel up and walk the dog before settling in for the long ride.

Fei Shang is driving from Wisconsin to Toronto with his wife, child and dog.

"We’re driving from Wisconsin up to here, it’s okay," Shang said. "There are several like, crashes on the road, but it’s still okay so far. It’ll be like around 10 hours. We enjoy road trips during the summertime. The rain, not the rain, not the part I like, no."

Traffic is expected to be heavy Friday afternoon. AAA recommends driving early in the day, except Saturday, when a lot of people will be on the road before noon.

The holiday travel period for driving extends to Tuesday.