LANSING, Mich (WZMQ) – AAA is forecasting a record-breaking year for travel during the year-end holidays. As we head towards peak travel days next weekend, AAA is forecasting another year of increased traffic following the dip that occurred in 2020.
According to Adrienne Woodland, a spokesperson with AAA, 3.6 million Michiganders are expected to travel 50 miles or more over the holidays.
“The majority of that 3.6 million, about 3.3 million of those folks, will be taking road trips,” Woodland said. “AAA has seen steady year-over-year growth in travel. As we’re coming out of the pandemic and despite various inflationary pressures, Americans still plan a budget for travel.”
Woodland said we can expect to see a peak on Saturday, December 23rd between the hours of 11:00 am and 7:00 pm, with the next busiest days on December 28th and 30th.
For drivers, AAA is anticipating some of the lowest average gas prices Michigan has seen all year during this holiday season. Overall, prices are down this year, with Michigan hitting its peak at $3.93 over the summer, while last year’s high was over $5.
AAA is predicting gas prices for these end-of-the-year holidays to stay similar to, or lower than last year’s average. Last Christmas in Michigan, the state average was $2.99 a gallon, Right now, the state average is about $3.02 a gallon. Woodland said this year we’re pretty much right in the same neighborhood as what we saw last year.
Woodland gave a reminder to drivers to get their vehicles inspected before their trip and to make sure they have an emergency road kit packed with enough winter gear, water, and snacks for everyone traveling in their party.
The Michigan Department of Transportation also gave the reminder to check your route for potential road closures or delays. Dan Weingarten with MDOT’s Superior Region said if you’re traveling through the U.P., to be aware of lane closures affecting the Portage Lift Bridge, and the Pine River Bridge north of St. Ignace.
Weingarten said the MiDrive website is a great resource for dives to check before hitting the road. Michigan.gov/drive is designed to display traffic obstructions due to weather, construction, or crashes. He also recommended Michigan.gov/winterdriving for tips and reminders about driving in the winter weather.
“It’s important to remember that it is winter now,” Weingarten said. “Even though it hasn’t had the impact that a normal winter does on the entire up. there are still parts of the peninsula that have seen significant snow already.”
Woodland says the high travel volume won’t just affect the roadways. 7.5 million Americans are expected to fly this holiday season as well. She said to make sure flyers check in online before their flights, arrive at the airport at least 2 to 3 hours early, and pack any medications and a change of clothes in a carry-on in case of a delay or cancelation.
“This is actually going to be one of the second busiest year-end holidays since AAA began forecasting these numbers back in 2000,” Woodland said. “If you are planning to fly, you want to be prepared for long bag drop lines, long TSA lines.”
Woodland said to make sure you give yourself extra time no matter how you’re traveling this year and to remember to pack your patience too as we head toward the busiest holiday travel season in 20 years.
