Government offices, post offices, courts, schools, banks and U.S. stock markets will be closed Monday for Labor Day, while most major retailers and grocery stores remain open.
Nearly 20% higher airfares to top domestic destinations and regular gas just under $4.10 a gallon—up 90 cents from a year ago—are raising the cost of the last big summer travel weekend.
Costco is among the notable retail closures, but most national chains plan to open and run promotional sales; standard FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery also pause, with limited critical services available.
Millions of Americans are still expected to travel despite schools already reopening in many places and fuel prices climbing amid the Iran conflict; cruises from U.S. ports are about 4% cheaper than last year.
Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894 after years of labor activism, following the first celebration in New York City in 1882.