Michiganders buckle up. Roads expected to be busy for the rest of the year
- Roads and airports will be busy leading up to Christmas and New Year's Day
- More than 3.8 million Michigan residents are expected to travel at least 50 miles or more
- Nearly 100,000 more Michigan residents will travel this year compared to last year
Michiganders can expect busy roads and airports, not only leading up to Christmas but New Year’s Day too.
AAA forecasts that 3.8 million Michiganders will travel 50 miles or more between Saturday and Jan. 1. That’s 98,000 more travelers than last year.
“Travelers should expect the roads, airports and cruise terminals to be more crowded than normal,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, in a statement.
“So, finalize your travel plans now and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. We also suggest travel insurance, which provides assistance in the event winter weather or something unexpected interferes with your plans.”
Here’s a look at what to expect:
In the sky
Prepare for long lines at the airport.
AAA projects record air travel between Saturday and New Year’s Day.
The Transportation Security Administration says it’s expecting to screen nearly 40 million passengers at airports between Thursday of this week and Jan. 2, an increase of more than 6% over the same time last year. Friday will be one of the busiest days of the season for air travel, along with Dec. 27 and Dec. 30, the agency said in a social media post.
BREAKING NEWS: We expect to screen nearly 40M people from Dec. 19 - Jan. 2, a 6.2% increase from last year. #TeamTSA is prepared to handle the high travel volumes. Busiest days will be 12/20, 12/27, & 12/30. Check out these travel tips before you fly! ⬇️https://t.co/kG6FWnsj8y pic.twitter.com/UvPHw6WFTX
— TSA (@TSA) December 17, 2024
On the road
Expect busy roads over the next few days as over 3.4 million Michiganders travel at least 50 miles or more for Christmas Day, 77,000 more than last year, according to AAA. Nearly 90% of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations.
Related: Snowy weather to hit parts of Michigan as Thanksgiving travel rush begins
“Many travelers, particularly families with young children, prefer the flexibility and lower cost that road trips provide,” said AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland. “Gas demand in December goes down as the weather gets colder, more people work remotely, and holiday shoppers purchase their gifts online versus in person.”
AAA recommends that drivers:
- Follow the speed limit. Driving 80 mph instead of 75 mph over 100 miles saves only 5 minutes.
- Slow down and move over if there is an emergency responder assisting another driver on the road
- Drive only when you feel alert and refreshed. Driving with less than four or five hours of sleep is equivalent to driving intoxicated, according to AAA.
Michigan gas prices dipped below $3 following a busy Thanksgiving travel weekend. Now that many families are gearing up for another road trip, prices are back up.
As of Thursday, Michigan drivers were paying an average of $3.07 for a gallon of regular gas. This time last year, a regular gallon of gas cost drivers $2.93.
Across the state, here’s what drivers are paying at the pump:
- Ann Arbor: $3.12
- Benton Harbor: $3
- Flint: $3.04
- Grand Rapids/Muskegon/Holland: $3.13
- Jackson: $3.13
- Lansing/East Lansing: $3.13
- Marquette: $2.99
- Metro Detroit: $3.06
- Saginaw/Bay City/Midland: $3.10
- Traverse City: $3.07
Best and worst times to drive
The roads will be more congested than they typically would be, except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, according to transportation data company INRIX.
“With a near record number of auto travelers expected this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major metro areas, with Sunday, Dec. 22, expected to be the nation’s worst day to travel,” says Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Our advice is to avoid traveling during peak commuting hours during the week. If schedules allow, leave bright and early or after the evening commute.”
The best times to travel through Dec. 23 is any time before 11 a.m. The worst times to travel on those days are between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Similarly, the best time to travel leading up to New Year’s Eve is before 11 a.m. The worst time to travel is between noon and 7 p.m.
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