AAA says travel is likely to increase this Labor Day weekend when compared to last year. This comes as Michigan is facing higher travel prices.
The average price for a gallon of unleaded fuel is approximately $4 in Michigan, according to AAA. Last year on Labor Day, AAA data shows the average price for regular gas was about $3.20 per gallon.
“Folks that are traveling for Labor Day this year will be seeing higher prices when it comes to things like airfare, as well as some domestic hotel stay.” AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland said.
Still, Woodland says that domestic hotel bookings for Labor Day weekend are up about 9% from last year, and flight bookings are seeing an increase as well.
“Based on our AAA travel bookings, we saw that domestic airfare is up about 2% compared to Labor Day of last year,” said Woodland, “And for folks flying to the most popular Labor Day destinations, we found that airfare is up nearly 20% higher than last year.”
Friday between noon and 8 p.m. will be one of the busiest times to be on the roadway this Labor Day weekend. Drivers leaving earlier than noon may avoid some of the heavier traffic.
The Michigan Department of Transportation will be removing lane restrictions on almost 60% of its road and bridge projects to help with traffic starting Friday at 3 p.m. and ending Tuesday at 6 p.m.
"It's been another tremendous year of progress for our state's roads and bridges, and while summer is winding down, that doesn’t mean projects are," said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich in a news release Thursday. "Even though we've pulled back the barrels in the majority of our work zones, there are still some cases where that just isn't possible."
Last year, AAA responded to more than 405,000 calls for roadside assistance nationwide during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Some of the most common issues were flat tires, battery issues, and needing to be towed.
“We encourage drivers, before you hit the roadway, that you do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle. You want to look at things like your battery, your tires, your brakes, and your fluids,” Woodland said. She also says drivers should pack an emergency kit with drinking water, a flashlight, a phone charger, and basic first aid supplies.
Drivers are also encouraged to focus on driving, plan alternative routes, watch the speed limit, and not drive while impaired, Woodland said.
AAA does not create travel projection numbers for Labor Day, but Woodland says an increase in travel this weekend would reflect the trends set on previous summer holidays.
“Memorial Day and Fourth of July, we saw an increase in travelers this year compared to last year, but it was a smaller increase compared to years past… And Labor Day is likely not going to be too different from that,” Woodland said.
