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Memorial Day weekend 2024 will be one of busiest for travel, AAA says: How to plan ahead

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Memorial Day weekend 2024 will be one of busiest for travel, AAA says: How to plan ahead

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The 2024 Memorial Day weekend is on track to be one of the highest traveled since the AAA Auto Club began tracking them in 2000, with people heading out to domestic and international destinations on more once-in-a-lifetime, luxury and solo trips.

“Memorial Day will be the start to a very busy summer of travel,” Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA, said. “American travelers are forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels, making this the busiest Memorial Day holiday weekend in nearly two decades.”

Compared to last year, gas prices are up a few cents a gallon; domestic hotel prices are down slightly, about 5% — and there’s been more interest in traveling to theme parks and entertainment venues and internationally than there has been in a while.

Top domestic destinations include Orlando, Seattle, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Anchorage, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Boston. Top foreign travel destinations include Italy, Canada, England, France, Ireland, Netherlands and Greece.

Domestic car rental rates nationwide are down about 17%, according to AAA.

Traveling by car

AAA is forecasting nearly 1.3 million Michiganders will travel 50 miles or more, the second highest since it began tracking them, with 1.17 state residents driving, nearly 70,000 flying, and another nearly 60,000 using some other form of transportation.

Nationally, AAA projects the second highest traveled Memorial Day on record, with nearly 43.8 million Americans going 50 miles or more, that’s 1.7 million more travelers than last year, a 4% increase, but slightly behind the 44 million set in 2005.

Of those 43.8 million, most, 38.4 million, are traveling by car and 3.5 million by air.

“Traveling by car is appealing for many people because of the convenience and flexibility it provides,” Adrienne Woodland, a AAA spokeswoman said. “However, Memorial Day drivers may have to pay more at the gas pump.”

More: Michigan gas prices drop ahead of Memorial Day weekend travel

During last year’s weekend, Michigan gas prices averaged $3.60 per gallon. The state average is up slightly.

“Drivers should expect continued volatility at the pump as the summer driving season gets underway,” Woodland said. “The wildcard remains the cost of oil, and unlike last year, there are now two wars — in the Middle East and Ukraine — that could roil the oil market.”

Best, worst times to travel

Meanwhile, those flying might want to leave extra time to get to the airport.

Nearly 2 million people are expected to travel by bus, train, and — on cruises, which are popular again.

“This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic,” Haas said. “Now — five years later — we’re back to 2019 numbers. Leading the charge is the resurgence in both ocean and river cruising, which came back extremely strong and continues to gain popularity.”

AAA said many more people this year have decided to take once-in-a-lifetime and luxury trips, and even take trips by themselves.

If you do plan to travel by car, INRIX — a Kirkland, Washington-based analytics company, urges drivers to leave Thursday or Friday early to avoid commuter traffic. Those going back Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours, when return trips are at their peak.

The worst times to travel: noon to 6 p.m. Thursday; noon to 7 p.m. Friday; 2-5 p.m. Saturday; and 3-7 p.m. Sunday; and 3-7 p.m. Monday. Best times: before 11 a.m., after 7 p.m. Thursday; before 11 a.m., after 8 p.m. Friday; before 1 p.m., after 6 p.m. Saturday; and before 1 p.m. Sunday; and after 7 p.m. Monday.

“Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal,” Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX said. “Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary.”

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

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