NoVA, DC Labor Day 2018 Guide: Weather, Traffic, Things To Do

WASHINGTON, DC — The roots of Labor Day reach back to the 1880s when unions pushed for an end to 70 hour work weeks, but over the years the holiday has become more of a day off to extend summer fun at the Virginia shore or by taking in sites along the National Mall in Washington, DC, hitting up the National Book Festival or the Labor Day Capitol Concert. While the movement to create a national Labor Day had been growing for years — along with efforts to establish an eight-hour work week — it wasn't until 1894 that President Grover Cleveland, looking to appease disgruntled workers in the wake of a railway union strike — signed a bill making it a holiday just days after the strike was broken.

Now, Labor Day is a day when everyone who can takes the day off, relaxes — perhaps with a cookout or seafood feast — and rests up before busy school schedules resume. This year, Labor Day falls on Monday, Sept. 3. From holiday closings to weather, traffic and fun things to do, here's everything you need to know about Labor Day 2018 in Virginia and DC.

AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts a record-breaking surge of traffic on highways with as many as 35.5 million people, including more than 850,000 Washington area residents traveling during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Expect heavy congestion on the 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia, as well as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland.

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What's open, what's closed?

Labor Day is a federal holiday, which means government offices (local, state and federal), the post office (so no mail delivery), banks and schools will be, for the most part, closed. Trash pickup for most providers will also be delayed by one day to give workers a day off.

Metro will be running Sunday/holiday schedules. (Labor Day 2018 Metro Schedule)

Big box stores will be open, and many will be offering Labor Day deals, so it could be a great time to scoop up a bargain. Most, but not all, grocery stores are open. See Also: Labor Day 2018 VA Grocery Hours: Wegmans, Giant, Harris Teeter

How's the weather?

Labor Day weekend weather will be a bit of a mixed bag. The best chance of rain is Friday at 80 percent chance of precipitation, dropping to a 40 percent chance of more rain on Saturday and Sunday, and a 30 percent chance of showers on Monday. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s all three days, according to the National Weather Service. See Also: Flash Flood Watch Issued In Northern Virginia, D.C. Plus: NoVA, DC Weekend Weather: Showers Loom Before Steamy Labor Day

What's happening?

While most people will have the weekend off, there's still plenty to do. From live music to food fests to free concerts, there's plenty happening in DC and the northern Virginia suburbs over the long weekend. Concertgoers can head to the U.S. Capitol Sunday night to hear the National Symphony Orchestra where the free Labor Day Capitol Concert will be held at 8 p.m. at the West Lawn of the Capitol. Also going on this weekend are the Virginia Scottish Games, the National Book Festival and a fresh cider fest.

Check it out: Labor Day Capitol Concert 2018: What To Know Before You Go

• DC, NoVA Labor Day Weekend: National Book Festival, Porktoberfest
• DC Bars To Stay Open Later Labor Day Weekend

Traffic, best time to drive I95 and gas prices

If you plan to drive to the shore for Labor Day, avoid hitting the road on Friday afternoon, which should be the busiest travel time during Labor Day weekend. Your best time to cross the Maryland Bay Bridge will be after 9 p.m. If you opt to depart Saturday, it is best to cross the span before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m. More than 850,000 Washington area residents will travel during the holiday weekend. Expect heavy congestion on the 95 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia, which handled more than 250,000 trips last year.

“If past is prologue, holiday travelers departing the Washington metro area for the this Labor Day weekend will find slowing traffic beginning at 2 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2018, and the worst time to travel between 5-6 p.m.," says AAA Mid-Atlantic. "The best bet for drivers is to wait until after 7 p.m. on Friday or before noon on Saturday to help ensure valuable vacationing time isn’t spent in standstill traffic during summer’s swansong.”

Gas prices were actually slightly down this week in Washington DC, at an average of $3 per gallon, and an average price of 2.80 in the DC metro. The national average was $2.83 per gallon. AAA said prices could slightly increase over the long weekend.

Also Read:

• Where To Get The Cheapest Gas For Labor Day Weekend
  
• American Flag For McCain And Labor Day: Photo Of The Day
• Labor Day 2018: 5 Things To Know About Worker's Holiday

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