3.6M Michiganians expected to travel around Christmas and New Year's, AAA says

AAA estimates more than 3.6 million Michigan residents will travel 50 miles or more from home around Christmas and New Year's, contributing to the second-highest national travel forecast on the holiday since the group started tracking in 2000.

This is about 102,000 more Michigan travelers, or a 2.4% jump, compared to last year and also the second highest road travel period on record, behind 2019, according to a Monday release from AAA.

“AAA has seen steady year-over-year growth in travel demand, culminating with what is expected to be the second-busiest year-end holiday travel season on record in Michigan and nationwide,” Debbie Haas, AAA's vice president of travel, said in the statement.

"Despite various inflationary pressures, Americans are still willing to budget for travel. With a near record number of travelers, the roads, airports and cruise lines will be more crowded than normal. So finalize your travel plans now, anticipate longer lines, and give yourself extra time to get to your destination."

More than 207,000 Michigan residents are forecast to take a commercial flight, which is nearly 8,000 more than last year and the third highest air travel volume on record, behind 2002 (224,625) and 2003 (231,959).

Average flight ticket prices are slightly lower than last year. According to AAA booking data, the average price for a round-trip ticket to Orlando, Florida this holiday season is $613, down from $735 last year.

“AAA recommends booking flights as early as possible to ensure the best combination of price and availability,” Haas said in the release. “Those waiting until the last minute could catch a discount but may have fewer options in terms of non-stop flights and seat availability. Whenever you book, it’s important to consider travel insurance.”

Haas added: “Seemingly every year around this time we hear about winter weather that causes widespread cancellations or delays. That’s another reason why we encourage travelers to get travel insurance, which offers protection for covered expenses associated with flight cancellations, lost luggage, and on flights with delays of as little as three hours.”

The majority of Michigan travelers, or 3.3 million, will get to their destination by automobile, which is about 79,000 more people expected to drive around Christmas and New Years than compared to last year.

"Drivers can expect to pay about the same or less for a gallon of gas than they did last holiday season, when the Michigan average on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day was $2.99 and $3.19, respectively," AAA said.

Michigan drivers are seeing a 12-cent drop in gas prices since last week, according to AAA.

The decline puts Michigan pump prices at an average of $3.10 per gallon for regular unleaded gas, which is 28 cents less than this time last month and 14 cents under this time in 2022.

Motorists are paying an average of $46 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline. According to a Monday release from AAA, "oil supply growth has helped push pump prices lower and gas demand is low."

"Oil prices dropped due to market concerns that lackluster demand could continue to push supply up while prices slide through the remainder of 2023," the release said.

"Michigan motorists are seeing slightly lower prices at the pump across the state," Adrienne Woodland, AAA's spokesperson, said in the release. "If demand declines, alongside lower crude oil prices, drivers may see gas prices drop further."

Oil and refined products analyst Patrick De Haan tweeted Monday that the country's gasoline price has been declining for 12 consecutive weeks.

Metro Detroit’s average daily gas price is trending slightly below the state's, at $3.08 per gallon, which is about 13 cents less than last week’s average and 2 cents less than this same time last year.

AAA reports the most expensive gas prices in Marquette ($3.22), Jackson ($3.21) and Lansing/East Lansing ($3.17).

The least expensive gas price averages are in Traverse City ($3.04), Benton Harbor ($3.06) and Grand Rapids ($3.07).

mjohnson@detroitnews.com