BEND, OR -- As Labor Day approaches, Central Oregon prepares for one last busy weekend of the summer.

“Bend is the number one destination for Labor Day for members of AAA Oregon-Idaho. And you know that Bend is always a top destination because there's so much to see and do. It is always at or near the top of the list. When we look at popular destinations for the major holiday weekends, whether we're talking about Memorial Day or Thanksgiving, or in this case, Labor Day Weekend, it's number one.” AAA’s Marie Dodds says Lincoln City, Eugene, Medford/Ashland, and Newport are also popular spots.

Dodds tells KBND News travel times around the region will increase, “Highway 97 is going to be very busy. In fact, it can take you probably twice as long to get where you want to go in Central Oregon. So, make sure you plan accordingly. Peak travel times, of course, are Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening. So, if you can avoid those times, let's say between noon and eight p.m., and between 11 a.m. and nine p.m. on Friday. You'll save yourself some headaches as far as congestion.”

Busy times for visitors leaving will start around 10 a.m. Monday. Dodds suggests avoiding traffic congestion by travelling early in the morning, or later in the evening.