The final holiday weekend of summer is expected to bring heavy traffic to Missouri’s highways, lakes, and tourist destinations as thousands of residents and visitors hit the road for Labor Day. State officials are reminding travelers to plan ahead, practice patience, and make safety a top priority.
Busy Highways Ahead
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) anticipates higher-than-normal traffic beginning Friday afternoon and lasting through late Monday evening. To ease congestion, most construction work zones will be shut down from noon Friday until early Tuesday morning. Still, drivers should expect delays in areas where long-term projects and lane closures remain in place.
Troopers on High Alert
The Missouri State Highway Patrol will conduct an increased presence on roads and waterways through Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort). Every available trooper will be on duty, looking for impaired drivers, speeders, and those not wearing seat belts.
Last year, Missouri recorded more than a thousand crashes during the Labor Day period, resulting in multiple fatalities and hundreds of injuries. Troopers stress that alcohol continues to be a leading factor in holiday weekend crashes.
Lake Traffic and Boating Safety
With warm weather expected, Missouri’s lakes and rivers will also see heavy holiday activity. Boaters are urged to check equipment, wear life jackets, and avoid mixing alcohol with water recreation. The patrol will also have marine enforcement units on the state’s busiest lakes.
Best Times to Travel
Transportation experts advise motorists to avoid peak travel times—Friday afternoon, late Sunday, and Monday evening—when highways are most congested. Early morning departures are expected to offer the smoothest travel.
Final Reminder
Whether headed to a family picnic, the lake, or a road trip across the state, officials say the message is simple: plan ahead, drive sober, and buckle up.
