Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


It’s the un-official start to the summer travel season – with the majority of people planning to hit the road this coming holiday weekend.

AAA predicts nearly 1.3 million Michiganders will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day period. That marks an increase of 37,000 compared to last year and the second highest on record.

Nationwide, AAA expects more than 45.1 million to travel for Memorial Day weekend. That’s 1.4 million more domestic travelers than last year. It’s also a new Memorial Day weekend record, surpassing the previous record set back in 2005 with 44 million people.

Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group Debbie Haas said "Despite economic uncertainty and global challenges, travel remains a priority for Americans, with millions eager to make memories with a Memorial Day getaway. Whether travelers are looking for a quick getaway or an extended vacation, there are budget-friendly options for every plan. From a short beach retreat to an extended cruise, working with a travel advisor can help uncover exclusive discounts and create a vacation that best meets your interests and needs."

AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. That’s one million more travelers than last year. This year, 87% of Memorial Day travelers will take a road trip.

Fortunately, AAA says a trip to the gas pump should be lower than last year. The Auto Club reports a trip to the gas pump should be lower than last year. So far this spring, it says gas prices have avoided the usual seasonal spikes, largely due to lower crude oil costs.

AAA Michigan Spokeswoman Adrienne Woodland said “As summer unofficially begins and travel demand picks up, there’s a chance that pump prices will edge upward. Historically, gas prices tend to peak in the spring or summer before gradually easing as schools reopen in the fall.

While roads will be busy, airports are also said to be bracing for another bustling holiday weekend. AAA projects 3.61 million air passengers, a nearly 2% increase over last year when 3.55 million travelers took to the skies. While this Memorial Day weekend isn’t expected to set an air travel record (that was set back in 2005 with 3.64 million travelers), this year’s numbers are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%.

For those heading out by vehicle, the afternoons over Memorial Day weekend are expected to be the most congested. If possible, travelers should hit the road during the morning hours.

The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as the five-day period from Thursday through Monday. The five-day holiday length is consistent with previous holiday periods dating back to 2000.