AUSTIN, Texas — Travelers heading out for Labor Day are facing a costly and potentially delayed start, with record fuel prices and an early morning incident near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expected to snarl traffic.
An incident on SH 71 near Austin-Bergstrom was expected to cause some problems this morning in the area, with cars on the roads near the airport now moving through.
SH-71 E @ Presidential Blvd at 7:20 a.m. on 9/4/2026
Drivers are also waking up to record diesel prices in Central Texas. In the Austin area, diesel is now about $5.51 a gallon. Statewide, it’s about $5.46. Both are record highs.
Regular gas prices are also rising, averaging about $3.74 in Austin and $3.69 statewide. Nationwide, GasBuddy expects this to be the most expensive Labor Day on record at the pump.
Doug Johnson with AAA said the ongoing conflict is making prices difficult to predict.
“Unfortunately, with this Iran conflict, that’s all gone down the window. It’s all demand right now. Gas prices shoot up like a rocket, come down like a feather, so it might take a while,” Johnson said.
GasBuddy experts said drivers can stretch a tank by using cruise control when it’s safe and slowing down slightly.
For those flying, AUS expects 30,000-plus departing passengers a day. Texas airports also have some of the highest historical odds of Labor Day delays, according to the Action Network.
Dallas Love Field ranks No. 1, with delays averaging more than 55 minutes. Houston Hobby is No. 2 at more than 49 minutes. DFW is third at more than 81 minutes, and Austin ranks No. 10 with delays averaging more than 72 minutes.
Source: actionnetwork.com
Airport officials expect travel to get even busier with Labor Day travel and Austin’s fall festival season getting underway.