Labor Day weekend: Weather forecast, best times to travel

PHILADELPHIA - Labor Day weekend is officially here, which means it's time to soak in the last days of summer!

But don't ruin a sunny holiday by leaving for your trip at the wrong time. Here's everything you need to know for Labor Day travel.

Best times to travel

What we know:

Some drivers are already on the road, with road trips expected to account for 85-90 percent of all trips for holiday weekends. 

So, when should you head out on your road trip this weekend? The earlier, the better! Peak traffic is expected from 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday and noon to 8 p.m. Friday. 

Here are the best times for the entire holiday weekend:

• Thursday before 1 p.m.
• Friday before noon
• Saturday between 6 and 10 a.m.
• Sunday before 11 a.m.
• Monday before noon

These are the worst:

• Thursday between 1 and 8 p.m.
• Friday between noon and 8 p.m.
• Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Sunday between noon and 5 p.m.
• Monday between 1 and 4 p.m.

If you plan on flying, airports are expected to be the most crowded on Friday, with the number of travelers expected to reach nearly 3 million.

Shore traffic

What you can do:

Bumper-to-bumper traffic is a staple when traveling down the shore during the summer, and Labor Day weekend will be no exception!

Drivers can expect major delays on the Atlantic City Expressway, Garden State Parkway, and even Route 55.

You can find the latest traffic information online before or during your trip.

If you're traveling from Philadelphia, backups on the Walt Whitman and Ben Franklin Bridge are likely on your way into New Jersey.

Labor Day weekend weather

Local perspective:

Sun is in the forecast for most of the Labor Day weekend, with a chance of spotty showers on Friday.

Temperatures will stay in the high 70s and low 80s - a perfect way to end the summer celebrations!