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AAA: Nearly 2.6M Michigan residents expected to travel for Thanksgiving

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AAA: Nearly 2.6M Michigan residents expected to travel for Thanksgiving

Traveling for Thanksgiving is expected to exceed pre-pandemic numbers and set a new record this year, AAA-The Auto Club Group announced Monday.

Nearly 2.6 million Michigan residents are forecast to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday, representing an increase of more than 65,000 travelers and an all-time high for a seven-day Thanksgiving travel period stretching from Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Monday, Dec. 2, AAA officials said in a press release.

National travel numbers are also expected to set new records with an estimated 79.9 million travelers, according to the statement. The 2% growth equates to 1.7 million more people than the previous record set last year, and 2 million more than in 2019, AAA reported.

The group attributes the spike to economic growth, declining inflation and strong income gains expected to boost consumer spending by 4.6% compared to this time in 2023.

“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board,” Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, said in the release. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails, and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now and consider travel insurance, which provides compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.”

AAA projects nearly 2.3 million in Michigan will embark on a road trip over Thanksgiving – 50,000 more travelers than the previous record set last year.

Meanwhile, the group expects 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday. That reflects an increase of 2% compared to last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019.

mjohnson@detroitnews.com

@_myeshajohnson

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