As Drivers Hit The Road, Gas Prices On LI Down 30 Cents From Last Labor Day Weekend: AAA

GARDEN CITY, NY — Long Islanders are about to take the final trip of summer as Labor Day weekend approaches.

Making the journey even more palatable, gas prices have improved from a year ago.

The average for a gallon of regular gas in New York is $3.15, a drop from $3.50 in 2024. On Long Island, you'll find a similar result, with prices averaging currently at $3.08. It was $3.37 a year ago, AAA said.

Nationally, gas prices are $3.16, on average, a 19-cent decrease from this time last year.

Once the tank is filled, the big question is, when should you hit the road?

The best time to start the road trip, according INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, is before lunchtime on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, it's encouraged to start driving between 6-10 a.m. and before 11 a.m. on Sunday.

The top flight destinations include Seattle, Orlando, Vancouver and Rome.

Domestic round-trip flights are six percent cheaper compared to last Labor Day weekend, according to AAA booking data. Hotel rates decreased by 11 percent and car rental costs are three percent lower compared to last year.

AAA roadside technicians responded to more than 380,000 calls for service nationwide last Labor Day weekend, primarily for dead batteries and flat tires. AAA recommends getting routine vehicle maintenance ahead of a road trip and packing an emergency kit complete with jumper cables, flares, a flashlight, extra phone chargers, food water and medications.