AAA Michigan says this year’s Memorial Day weekend travel season will be the busiest on record since they started tracking data in 2000.
Over 1.3 million Michiganders are expected to travel over 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend, according to the auto club. Nationally, they project 45 million people will travel this weekend.
About 1.2 million are expected to drive, 70,000 will fly and another 68,000 will use other modes of transportation like trains or buses.
Adrienne Woodland is with AAA Michigan. She said travel demand is strong, but some factors are keeping drivers off the road.
“Higher fuel prices and persistent inflation may cause some travelers to shorten their trips or stay closer to home,” she said.
The auto club says the state average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.77, up from $3.20 last year.
This is the shortest year-over-year increase in travel demand for Memorial Day weekend in over a decade, Woodland said.
In preparation for the busy weekend, AAA is bringing back their confidential "Tow To Go" program to keep impaired drivers off the road by providing a free ride for one person and their car within ten miles of their final destination.
While the program is free, the auto club says it is intended to be a last resort for drivers.
Woodland said drivers should prepare in advance with a pre-trip inspection of their vehicle. She recommends checking the tire pressure, battery and fluids before leaving.
"Last year for Memorial Day, nationally, AAA responded to more than 350,000 calls for emergency roadside assistance," she said.
