Traveling this Labor Day weekend? Avoid traffic, find cheapest gas around Tacoma, Olympia
Whether your Labor Day weekend plans involve a barbecue, camping, time with family or something else, travel costs might seem a little extra expensive this year. With Washington state gas prices the second-highest in the country and traffic congestion anticipated by the Washington State Department of Transportation, you could save cash by planning your trip accordingly.
But since Washington has such a diverse socioeconomic breakdown, the cost of products such as gas varies. Pierce and Thurston County’s average gas price are both at about $5.12 per gallon, according to AAA.
For over a year, the average national gas price has been lower than the Washington state average. This trend has continued as Washington rose to the most expensive gas in the country in June. Washington’s state average per gallon as of Aug. 30 is $5.10, according to AAA.
Since June, California has taken the crown for most expensive fuel in the U.S. — but Washington is still number two. Both states will run you more than a dollar over the national average per gallon, which according to AAA, is $3.82 per gallon as of Aug. 29.
Currently, California’s average gas price per gallon is $5.29 and Washington’s is $5.10. The cheapest gas in the country is in Mississippi, averaging $3.29.
Washington gas prices by county
Looking across Washington’s 39 counties, average gas prices range from $4.47 to $5.60. Pierce County has a county average gas price of $5.12, while Thurston County’s average gas price slightly lower at $5.11 per gallon.
Which counties have the most expensive gas? Which have the cheapest? Strategically planning where you gas up this Labor Day weekend could save you quite a bit.
According to AAA, the most expensive gas is in San Juan County for $5.60. The counties with the highest gas prices are:
- San Juan: $5.60
- Pacific, Wahkiakum: $5.40
- Skamania: $5.37
- Jefferson: $5.32
- King: $5.30
- Garfield: $5.18
- Mason: $5.17
The cheapest gas in Washington is in Asotin County in southeast Washington at $4.47. The counties with the least expensive prices are:
- Douglas: $4.90
- Yakima: $4.88
- Lincoln, Stevens: $4.87
- Pend Oreille: $4.79
- Spokane: $4.77
- Asotin: $4.43.
Upcoming construction in Thurston County
When planning your Labor Day travel route, you should look out for major construction projects impacting traffic. There aren’t many road projects in Thurston County planned during Labor Day weekend that will affect traffic.
If traveling along Interstate 5 between Mounts Road and Steilacoom-DuPont Road, expect shifted lanes, reduced speed limits and overnight lane and ramp closures while crews work on corridor improvements.
Overnight lane closures on northbound I-5 have been approved:
- Monday through Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. each following day.
- Friday from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday.
- Saturday from 8 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
- Sunday from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Monday.
Overnight lane closures on southbound I-5 have been approved:
- Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. each following day.
- Friday from 9:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday.
- Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday.
- Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Monday
Tacoma event road closures
Although WSDOT doesn’t have any planned traffic projects in Pierce County during Labor Day weekend, there will be a couple of road closures for scheduled events in Tacoma.
Proctor Farmers Market road closures
North 27th Street from North Proctor to North Madison Street will be closed for the Proctor Farmers Market on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Punk Rock Flea Market road closures
Fawcett Avenue between South 13th Street and South 15 Street will be closed for the Punk Rock Flea Market from Sept. 2 at 6 a.m. until Sept. 4 at midnight.
WA’s common holiday traffic routes
The Washington State Department of Transportation offers information for holiday weekend travel ahead of three-day weekends, including popular routes, travel times and planned projects.
During three-day weekends, the most commonly congested routes are:
- US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass
- I-90 North Bend to Cle Elum
- I-5 Lacey to Tacoma
These routes do not have alternatives, are commonly backed up around holidays. This year, WSDOT is anticipating congestion on these routes during certain times:
▪ August 31
- I-5 North: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- I-5 South: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
▪ September 1
- US-2 East: Noon to 3 p.m.
- I-90 East: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- I-5 North: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- I-5 South: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
▪ September 2
- US-2 East: 9 a.m. to noon
- I-90 East: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- I-5 North: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- I-5 South: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
▪ September 3
- US-2 East: Around 11 a.m.
- US-2 West: Around 4 p.m.
- I-90 West: Noon to 5 p.m.
- I-5 North: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- I-5 South: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ September 4
- US-2 West: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- I-90 West: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- I-5 North: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 1-5 South: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
▪ September 5
- I-5 North: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- I-5 South: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year, WSDOT is also expecting congestion further North on I-5, from Bellingham to the Canadian Border:
▪ August 31
- North: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- South: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ September 1
- North: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- South 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
▪ September 2
- North: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- South: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ September 3
- North: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- South: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
▪ September 4
- North: Noon to 6 p.m.
- South: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
▪ September 5
- North: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- South: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
These times are bases on projections from WSDOT. For updated real-time traffic information over the long weekend, visit the Real-Time Travel Map.
Labor Day ferry use
Planning ahead is necessary if you are planning to take a ferry during Labor Day weekend as nearly 400,000 people are expected to board the WA State Ferries between Thursday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 5, according to a WSDOT news release.
The surge in ferry riders is expected to cause unusually long vehicle lines and wait times. People should prepare for last minute schedule changes or delays due to mechanical issues or lack of relief crewing.
Riders can reduce waiting time by choosing to walk or bike onto the ferry or by taking an early morning ride or late night ride.
Busy Travel Times
Vehicles traveling west or to an island can expect busy travel time from Thursday, Aug. 31 through Saturday, Sept. 2.
Vehicles traveling east or off an island can expect busy travel time from Sunday, Sept. 3 through Tuesday, Sept. 5.
There are holiday schedule changes to WA ferry route on Labor Day, Sept. 4. Changes made to schedules for holiday sailings are marked on the schedules for each route on the WSDOT website.
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 11:39 AM with the headline "Traveling this Labor Day weekend? Avoid traffic, find cheapest gas around Tacoma, Olympia."