Allstate: Where and when Labor Day driving gets dicey

New data from Allstate reveals the busiest cities, most congested highways and riskiest travel windows for Labor Day weekend.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Aug. 14, 2025 -- Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and new insights from Allstate's Drivewise®, a safe driving program available in the Allstate app, reveals exactly when and where drivers face the most risk, based on millions of trips logged nationwide.*

Unlike traditional travel forecasts, Allstate's analysis focuses on how Americans drive: from speeding and hard braking to congestion and breakdowns. The data covers Labor Day week (Wednesday–Tuesday), comparing real-time driving behavior to average summer patterns.

Brian Dieringer, President of Allstate Roadside
"We see driving habits really change over Labor Day weekend. You've got fewer drivers slamming on the brakes and more stepping on the gas, which is a clear sign people are trading the daily commute for a road trip."

Where the roads will be busiest
These cities are projected to see the greatest increases in out-of-state drivers:

• Nashville
• Colorado Springs
• Las Vegas
• Austin
• San Antonio

Expect slowdowns on these major metro routes:

• Atlanta: I-85, I-75, I-20
• Houston: I-10, I-45
• Chicago: I-90, I-94
• Philadelphia: I-95
• Dallas: U.S. 75

Best and worst times to hit the road
Prepare for travel to ramp up before the holiday, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 27 and peaking Friday, Aug. 29.

Best times to travel

• Morning hours (7–11 a.m.) on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
• Evenings after 7 p.m. for Thursday departures and Tuesday returns

Worst times to travel

• Afternoons (3–7 p.m.) from Wednesday through Tuesday

Pro tip
Planning your trip around these peak windows can help you avoid congestion and risky driving conditions. Drivewise provides feedback on your driving behavior, helping you make smarter decisions behind the wheel.

Roadside breakdowns surge after the holiday
While most travelers focus on the weekend itself, Allstate Roadside data shows the real trouble starts Tuesday, the day after Labor Day.

Breakdowns spike nearly 25% as Americans return to work and school, making it one of the most likely days of the summer to need roadside assistance.

"Allstate Roadside sees a surge in calls the day after Labor Day. It's partly due to increased wear from holiday travel, but also from the fact that many repair shops are closed over the holiday weekend and the rush to get back to normal routines," Dieringer said.

Breakdown hotspots
Top cities for roadside issues and vehicle breakdowns during Labor Day travel include:

• Houston
• Atlanta
• Chicago

Pro tip
Don't just prep the car you're taking. Check the one you're leaving behind too. Many jumpstarts and tire changes happen to vehicles left idle at home. Allstate Roadside covers you whether you're on the road or returning to a car that's been parked all weekend.

For more driving insights, Allstate's 2025 America's Best Drivers Report reveals the safest and riskiest driving cities across the country, perfect for planning your next road trip.

Editor's note
*Data is based on aggregated and anonymized national Drivewise driving info comparing the 2024 Labor Day holiday period (Wednesday, Aug. 28–Tuesday, Sept. 3) to daily average driving behavior in 2024. Drivewise, a voluntary safe driving program customers can choose to enroll in, helps drivers earn a personalized auto insurance rate based on their everyday driving. Customers can save just for signing up and staying active, while avoiding risky behaviors like speeding, sudden braking, using their phone or late-night driving which may cause the price they pay to increase.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation protects people from life's uncertainties with a wide array of protection for autos, homes, electronic devices, and identities. Products are available through a broad distribution network including Allstate agents, independent agents, major retailers, online, and at the workplace. Allstate is widely known for the slogan "You're in Good Hands with Allstate." For more information, visit www.allstate.com.

SOURCE Allstate