Labor Day weekend is usually the unofficial send-off to summer, but this year many New Jersey residents are rethinking how to spend it. With inflation still cutting into household budgets and the overall cost of living in the Garden State among the highest in the country, travel plans are looking a little different.
A new report from Retrospec highlights a clear shift: 64 percent of Americans are choosing road trips over air travel in 2025. Only 13 percent plan to fly, signaling that even long holiday weekends are no longer enough to justify the expense and hassle of airports.
Younger travelers are feeling the shift even more. Nearly one in five Gen Z adults say they’re avoiding flights completely, not only because of ticket prices but also due to growing concerns about airline safety. Instead, they’re leaning toward road travel, public transportation, or simply staying put.
For others, Labor Day won’t even be about rest and travel. Nearly 17 percent of Americans expect to work through the three-day weekend in order to earn extra income. And for those who do book a flight, timing could make or break the trip: Friday remains the most delay-prone travel day, with only about 76 percent of flights arriving on time, while Sunday and Tuesday offer much better odds at 86 percent.
But in New Jersey, the idea of staying local has a certain appeal. Between avoiding airport crowds, saving on gas and airfare, and ending each night in the comfort of your own bed, staycations are proving to be the most stress-free and budget-friendly option this Labor Day weekend.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.