3.8 million Michiganders expected to travel over the holidays

(CBS Detroit) For the approaching holidays, Michiganders are anticipated to travel in record numbers.

3.8 million people in Michigan will travel 50 miles or more over the holiday, according to AAA. That is 98,000 more travelers than in 2023 and a record high for holiday travel.

Over 217,000 people will fly, 144,000 will take the bus, cruise, or train, and approximately 3.4 million will drive out of the 3.8 million Michiganders who are anticipated to travel over the holidays. According to AAA, the Christmas travel window is from Saturday, December 21, to Wednesday, January 1.

According to AAA spokesman Adrienne Woodland, “many travelers, especially families with small children, prefer the flexibility and lower cost that road trips provide.” “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.”

It is anticipated that Michiganders will also save money at the petrol pump. Currently, drivers in Michigan are paying an average of $2.94 per gallon for normal unleaded gasoline, which is the lowest price since January 2024.

Over the holidays, 119.3 million people nationwide are expected to travel, which is almost 3 million more than the previous year and 64,000 more than the previous record established in 2019. With 7.9 million individuals scheduled to fly domestically over the weekend, holiday air travel is also predicted to break past records. This is in addition to the 7.5 million people who flew last year.

According to AAA, 4.7 million Americans will use the bus, train, or boat this holiday season, the most in 20 years and a 10% increase over last year.

Joe Buczek works for CBS Detroit as the manager of digital content and promotion. The Leader and the Kalkaskian, the Oakland Press, the Morning Sun, the Grand Traverse Insider, and WWTV were among his prior employers.

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