Memorial Day travel in Michigan expected to be busy

MID-MICHIGAN (WNEM) – The summer travel rush is on and AAA expects this weekend to be a record-breaker.

Michigan residents are hitting the gas on travel this weekend. According to AAA, more than 43 million people are expected to travel across the United States, breaking a record previously set in 2005.

“Here in Michigan, we’re expecting nearly 1.3 million Michigan residents will travel at least 50 miles or more away from home,” said AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland.

She said the majority of travelers in Michigan will be packing up the car and going on a road trip.

“You definitely want to prepare for busy road traffic, particularly on Friday, May 24, between the hours of 12 noon to 7 p.m. That’s expected to be the busiest time. So, if you are planning to leave that day, if you can get out before 11 a.m. or wait and leave after 8 p.m., you can miss some of the heavier traffic,” Woodland said.

It’s also going to be more expensive than in previous years.

“Last year on Memorial Day, the state average in Michigan was about $3.60 a gallon for regular unleaded. Gas in Michigan today is actually $3.69 a gallon,” Woodland said. “In terms of booking for a flight, according to AAA data, the cost of a flight is about 2 percent more than last year’s Memorial Day.”

But you may save in other ways.

“Domestic hotels are actually about 5 percent cheaper than what we saw on Memorial Day last year, so that may be a place where you may find some savings compared to last year,” Woodland said.

She said it’s important to plan ahead.

“If you can get your vehicle inspected, have things like your tires, your battery, your brakes, and your fluids looked at, that’s a really important step if you’re planning to take a road trip,” Woodland said.

And pack your patience.

“You find destinations like lake or beach destinations are really, really popular. And of course, a state like Michigan that is surrounded by beautiful lakes and beaches is always going to be a popular destination on holidays like Memorial Day weekend,” Woodland said.

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