Travel
Record holiday travel in Michigan expected to create crowded traffic, airports
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A record number of Michiganders are expected to travel for the year-end holidays, a prediction driven in part by low gas prices, confidence in the economy and perhaps a colder than normal fall prompting people to seek warm destinations.
“So, finalize your travel plans now and give yourself extra time to get to your destination,” Debbie Haas, a AAA vice president, said. “We also suggest travel insurance, which provides assistance in the event winter weather or something unexpected interferes with your plans.”
What’s more, be ready for crowded roads, airports and cruise terminals.
The auto club is forecasting 3.8 million Michiganders will travel 50 miles or more from home, 98,000 more travelers than the previous record high set last year. Nationwide, the number of people going that far is 119.3 million, also a record.
Factors influencing travel, the auto club said, include: moderating inflation, strong employment and a 5% increase in consumer spending. It also helps that gas prices, which earlier this week were below $3 a gallon, are relatively low.
“Gas demand in December goes down as the weather gets colder,” said Adrienne Woodland, a AAA spokeswoman. “Many travelers, particularly families with young children, prefer the flexibility and lower cost that road trips provide.”
Some of the worst days for road travel are likely to be Dec. 19, Dec. 20 and Jan. 2.
AAA expects air travel to set a new record, with nearly 7.9 million Americans taking at least one domestic flight. That number surpasses the previous record of 7.5 million air travelers last year.
The number of Americans traveling by bus, train and cruise is also up, by nearly 10%.
And as for rental cars, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa have some of the highest demand for the holidays, according to Hertz, a rental company. The busiest car pickup days are expected to be Dec. 20 and 21.
If you do hit the roadways, AAA urges motorists to avoid speeding, which can result in an expensive ticket or — worse — deadly crashes, and to drive only when alert and refreshed because driving with insufficient sleep can be as dangerous as driving drunk.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.
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