AAA says 2.6 million Michiganders will Travel for Fourth of July
More than 2.6 million Michiganders are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the Fourth of July travel period, and more than two million of them will drive. The projection covers Saturday, June 27 through Sunday, July 5 and sets a record for Independence Day travel in Michigan.
AAA also said the state's projected holiday travel is up 1 percent from last year. Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA - The Auto Club Group, said many families keep the trip as part of the holiday itself.
Debbie Haas and AAA
"For many families, traveling for Independence Day isn’t just a trip, it’s a tradition," Haas said in a press release. She also said vacation spending is still holding up even as some households cut back elsewhere.
"Vacations are one category where consumers are still willing to spend, even if that means cutting back on something else. With an extended holiday travel period, we expect busy roads, steady demand for flights, and continued interest in cruises across many parts of the country," she said.
June 27 to July 5
The Michigan projection is part of a larger national pattern. AAA said 72.2 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the same period, and it recommended leaving before noon on most days if possible to avoid the most congested travel times.
For Friday, July 3, the advice gets more specific: AAA said to leave before 11 a.m. if possible. That timing gives travelers the clearest chance to avoid the heaviest traffic in the middle of the holiday period, when roads are expected to be busiest.
Michigan Drivers
The travel outlook comes as Michigan drivers are paying an average of $4.15 per gallon on Wednesday, July 17, a figure that adds pressure for anyone planning a long drive. The 98-cent figure in the facts also points to the kind of price swing travelers have been dealing with, which helps explain why timing and route choices matter more than usual.
For families leaving Michigan, the practical move is simple: if the trip can start earlier in the day, the state’s busiest holiday roads are easier to avoid. Those who wait until later on July 3 are choosing the peak window AAA is trying to steer people around.
