Labor Day weekend in Massachusetts usually means packed highways and rising fuel costs, but a Bridgewater family proved a little planning can keep the holiday stress‑free. Matt Simokonis, a father of two, decided to cut his family’s beach day short and head home early on Monday, ensuring his children would be rested for the first day of school.
Early departure pays off
“Try to leave as early as we could,” Simokonis told NBC10 Boston. The family’s beach outing fell on the best weather day of the long weekend, but the dad chose to beat the expected rush. By leaving around 11 a.m., they avoided the heavy traffic that typically builds between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to AAA Northeast spokesperson Mark Schieldrop.
“The real wild card is always the weather,” Schieldrop said. “When we have sunny skies and mild temperatures, we see a lot more activity, spontaneous travel, day‑trippers heading to the Cape and other coastal destinations.”
Gas prices remain a concern
While traffic was manageable for the Simokonis family, AAA warned that gas prices hit a new high for Labor Day weekend. The average price in Massachusetts sat at $4.21 per gallon, up 20 cents since August 18. “Prices have gone up and this is usually the time of year where they are cooling off,” Schieldrop explained, highlighting the financial pinch many drivers feel.
Other families face the same dilemma
Jason Yang, his wife Alison and their two children left Worcester at 7:30 a.m. for a day at the beach in Sandwich. “Not much traffic coming down, but we’ll see what happens when we go back,” Yang said, noting the desire to savor the last summer day and enjoy local lobster rolls.
When NBC10 Boston crews observed traffic building in Sandwich around lunchtime, Alison Yang joked they might adjust their return plan. “Yeah, we might head out a little earlier just to avoid some of the traffic,” she laughed.
Practical tips for holiday travelers
AAA’s advice for drivers this Labor Day weekend is simple: aim for early departures, stay flexible, and keep an eye on fuel costs. With the busiest stretch of the day expected after 2 p.m., families who can shift their travel windows stand to save both time and money.
For parents like Simokonis, the payoff is clear. “It was very hard, but knowing them, they have to get back to school and get a good night’s sleep,” he said, smiling as he described the plan to finish the weekend with a quick round of mini‑golf in Bridgewater.
Looking ahead
As the summer draws to a close, Massachusetts drivers can expect similar patterns next year: sunny weather draws day‑trippers, while gas prices remain a variable factor. Planning ahead, staying informed about traffic updates, and budgeting for fuel will help families enjoy the final days of summer without the usual holiday headaches.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
