India, Sept. 4 -- The Labor Day weekend often signals a reprieve for American motorists, with summer vacations coming to an end and fuel usage likely to fall. However, this year the usual trend during Labor Day week is being disrupted. Those embarking on their final summer trip may discover travel costs have heightened while people and businesses have yet another source of financial strain. Labor Day is commemorated in the U.S. on the first Monday in September, which in 2026 falls on the 7th of the month.

Why are gas prices so high around Labor Day?

The national average for gasoline reached about $4.14 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA, up four cents from the previous week, while Maine's average stood at $4.18. Gasoline had already...