According to AAA Arkansas, Arkansans are expected to travel through the Labor Day weekend, which begins Friday through Monday, at the end of summer travel and vacation.
But the first destination can be controversial.
Many Arkansas people are heading to Fayetteville for Saturday’s home opener at Razorback Stadium.
According to AAA, the top destinations for out-of-state Arkansas travelers are Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Alaska, Key West, Nashville, Hawaii, Memphis, New Orleans and then Europe. AAA reports that 32% of Americans travel on Labor Day.
82% of travelers plan to travel by car. And Fayetteville will be the destination for more than 75,000 people on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
Labor Day Weekend Trip: Taking a Trip? Then you should go and it should not
Fort Smith bars, restaurants and businesses are ready for home delivery. Restaurants have taken delivery orders for tailgate and backyard or house viewing parties. Tim McNally, general manager of Papa’s Pub & Pizzeria, located in the downtown entertainment district at 508 Garrison Ave, said the pizza supply will be high on Saturday.
He said people will still go to the lake this Labor Day, but they may wait to come out after the game.
“It doesn’t hurt us too much,” McNally said.
Our favorite pizza of the day will be Hogzilla.
MORE: Beer, barbecue and football: Fort Smith activities ready for Razorbacks fans.
“Come and try it or give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you,” McNally said.
Meanwhile, AAA predicts about 1,100 Arkansas drivers will need assistance on the road.
The weather outside of Arkansas is expected to be warm and sunny with a chance of thunderstorms through Monday.
Gas prices were flat in Arkansas last week.
The average gas price in Arkansas was $3.32 on Thursday, September 1st. In Sebastian County and Fort Smith it was $3.33. On Friday, the price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in Fayetteville was $3.29.
The story continues
State parks and lakes are busy on Mondays, with many people heading to the lake after the big game in Fayetteville.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol held a news conference Friday evening in Lake Eufaula in McIntosh County to announce road closures and drunken driving enforcement. In addition to drinking too much alcohol, drunken drivers often use marijuana, police said.
People who use marijuana for medical purposes should not get behind the wheel of a car, as driving under the influence has recently increased in Oklahoma, police officials said. Medical marijuana is legal in Arkansas and checkpoints at Fort Smith have been frequent this year.
Arkansas court officers are involved in driving under the influence with law enforcement efforts across the country. Arkansas State Police reported 10 deaths on Labor Day 2021.
This article originally appeared in the Fort Smith Times Record: AAA covers the 10 best places to visit on Labor Day in Arkansas.
