AAA projects more than 1.3 million Michiganders will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day weekend, the second highest on record for the holiday.
DEARBORN, Mich. (WJRT) – AAA projects more than 1.3 million Michiganders will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day weekend, the second highest on record for the holiday.
Most Michigan travelers will take road trips, with nearly 1.2 million expected to drive. Another 70,000 will fly, while more than 68,000 will travel by other modes such as bus, train or cruise.
The travel period includes five days, beginning on the Thursday before Memorial Day and ending on Monday. Michigan travel rose slightly year over year, reflecting a broader national trend of record-setting travel numbers paired with slower growth.
Nationally, AAA expects nearly 45 million Americans to travel over the Memorial Day holiday, the highest total on record. However, year-over-year growth remains less than one percent.
“Memorial Day travel is still reaching record levels, but with the smallest year-over-year increase in more than a decade,” Woodland said.
“Although travel demand remains strong, higher fuel prices and persistent inflation may cause some travelers to shorten trips, delay plans, or stay closer to home,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group.
A holiday road trip will cost more at the gas pump this year. The Michigan average price for gasoline is $4.73 per gallon, compared to $3.20 per gallon on Memorial Day last year.
AAA urges drivers to Slow Down, Move Over for disabled vehicles and roadside responders. During last year’s Memorial Day weekend, AAA responded to more than 350,000 emergency roadside assistance calls nationwide to help stranded drivers with issues like dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks.
For air travelers, AAA projects 3.66 million travelers will fly domestically over the holiday weekend, a small increase over last year. According to AAA booking data, travelers who booked flights in advance paid about six percent less than last year, with an average ticket costing $800.
“Travel costs remain a mixed picture this year,” Haas said.
“Travelers who booked early may have secured lower airfares, but rising fuel costs are putting upward pressure on prices,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA The Auto Club Group.
Travel by bus, train and cruise will increase by more than five percent to 2.2 million travelers. The growth reflects expanded cruise capacity and continued demand for Alaska itineraries.
