Labor Day Travel Costs: AAA says Labor Day weekend in Washington and beyond comes with higher prices and heavier traffic—domestic airfare averages about $750 round-trip (+2%), hotels are up (domestic +9%), and gas is expected to be pricier than last year. Road-Trip Planning: Drivers are warned to expect the worst congestion windows (notably Friday noon–8 p.m., Saturday 1–5 p.m., and Monday 2–5 p.m.) and to check pass/route timing before heading out. Ferries & Getting Around: Washington State Ferries is seeing a record summer and expects about 400,000 riders over the holiday weekend, adding to the need for early reservations and smart timing. Local Culture for Visitors: Third Place Books launched a new Literary Foundation to expand author events and book access across the Seattle metro—another reason to build a stop into a fall trip. Safety Watch: Washington State Patrol reported a deadly Orondo-area crash on U.S. 97, a reminder to slow down on holiday travel routes.