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Millions of Travelers Expected to Pass Through Chicago Airports, Roads During Extended Labor Day Weekend

Airports and roads in the Chicago area are expected to see a surge in travelers as part of the extended Labor Day weekend, which marks the unofficial end of summer.

O’Hare and Midway International airports are expected to see more than 1.79 million travelers between Thursday and Tuesday – with O’Hare accounting for more than 1.5 million of those travelers, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation on Thursday.

The busiest day for both airports is expected to be Friday, with O’Hare seeing nearly 285,000 passengers and Midway seeing nearly 58,000 passengers, according to a news release.

“This Labor Day weekend, we welcome all to our city — the cradle of the American labor movement — as summer gives way to fall,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release.

Nearly 8.2 million vehicles are expected to pass through the roads during the Labor Day weekend, according to the Illinois Tollway on Wednesday. The heaviest traffic is anticipated to be on Friday, when more than 1.9 million vehicles are expected to use the tollway system.

“We’re asking drivers to join us in making safety their top priority by following posted speed limits, particularly when traveling through work zones, where they could encounter new traffic patterns, construction equipment or workers,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said in a news release.

Those traveling to O’Hare taking the I-90/94 Kennedy Expressway should expect significant delays, especially during peak hours, on both the express and regular lanes due to ongoing construction. Travel times from downtown Chicago to O’Hare can exceed an hour.

Travelers are strongly encouraged to use public transportation, cell phone lots and “Kiss n’ Fly” drop-offs at airports to help reduce traffic congestion, according to a CDA news release.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]

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