Record Gas Prices, Open Freeways and Storm Chances: What Arizona Drivers Face This Labor Day Weekend

Arizona heads into the Labor Day holiday weekend with a rare combination on its roads: no scheduled construction closures anywhere on the state highway system, the most expensive holiday gas prices ever recorded, and a possible return of monsoon storms fueled by Tropical Storm Marie.

No scheduled closures — but heavy traffic expected

The Arizona Department of Transportation announced that no full construction closures are scheduled on state highways — including Phoenix-area freeways — from Friday afternoon, September 4, through late Monday night, September 7, to limit impacts on holiday travel.

Open lanes will not mean light traffic. ADOT anticipates heavy volume and possible delays on highways in and out of the Phoenix and Tucson areas, including Interstate 10 and Interstate 17 north of Phoenix. State Route 87 between Fountain Hills and Payson, US 93 between Wickenburg and Hoover Dam, and I-8 and I-10 between the Phoenix area and the California line are also expected to be busy. The heaviest travel periods are expected Friday afternoon and Monday afternoon and evening.

The I-17 flex lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point will run northbound through late Saturday, then switch to southbound for returning traffic on Sunday, September 6, and Monday, September 7.

ADOT notes that unscheduled closures remain possible from crashes, disabled vehicles, wildfires and other incidents, and recommends an emergency kit with extra drinking water, a first-aid kit, a charged phone and other basics for long drives. Real-time highway conditions are available at AZ511.gov.

The most expensive Labor Day at the pump on record

Phoenix drivers are paying about $4.69 a gallon heading into the weekend, according to GasBuddy — the highest price ever recorded for a September 1. Statewide, Arizona's average sits around $4.51 after rising about 1.7 cents over the past week, even as prices declined nationally.

Nationally, GasBuddy projects the Labor Day average will reach $4.03 per gallon — 87 cents higher than 2025 and above the previous nominal record of $3.83 set in 2012.

DUI patrols running through the holiday

DUI task-force patrols funded through the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety are operating over the holiday weekend. The Kingman Police Department, for example, announced targeted enforcement in coordination with the Western Arizona DUI Task Force. In its holiday advisory, ADOT said multiple agencies — including the Department of Public Safety and other first responders — are asking drivers to plan ahead and stay alert.

Holiday DUI enforcement is a long-running pattern in Arizona: statistics compiled by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety after the 2025 holiday showed just over 1,000 officers and deputies participating in Labor Day weekend DUI enforcement statewide.

Storm chances return with Tropical Storm Marie

Moisture connected to newly formed Tropical Storm Marie could boost monsoon storm chances across the Valley late in the week and through the holiday weekend, according to forecasters. The National Weather Service outlook carries storm chances into the weekend; storms that develop could bring brief heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds and blowing dust, with Valley highs near normal in the upper 90s to low 100s.

For drivers who encounter blowing dust on the highway, ADOT's long-standing "Pull Aside, Stay Alive" guidance calls for exiting the roadway completely, turning off lights and keeping a foot off the brake until visibility returns.

Sources: Arizona Department of Transportation; GasBuddy via ABC15 Arizona; Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety statistics; National Weather Service forecasts via ABC15 Arizona.