By Staff
An estimated 1.1 million Michiganians have Labor Day holiday travel plans, according to a recent survey by AAA.
The number of travelers hitting the highway for the traditional end-of-summer getaway compares favorably with year-ago levels in the Great Lakes region (the Great Lakes region includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin).
Ninety-two percent of travelers in the Great Lakes region will travel by car, truck or van.
Only 8 percent will travel by air, unchanged from last year.
"Despite high gas prices and increased vacation costs, there is quite a bit of pent-up demand," said Claire Lockley, vice president of travel for The Auto Club Group (ACG).
"For domestic travel, Labor Day represents the last opportunity to take advantage of the nice weather before school starts. This is also a good time for last minute cruise and tour specials."
This year's Labor Day travel period caps a summer of high gas prices and a stalled economy.
As of Aug. 27, the average Michigan price was $2.958 per gallon for self-serve regular fuel (17.2 cents higher than last year).
For state residents planning a summer vacation in Michigan, the five most popular driving destinations are: 1.) Mackinaw City, 2.) Traverse City, 3.) Muskegon, 4.) Sault Ste. Marie and 5.) Ludington (based on 2007 AAA TripTik’ requests).
The official 78-hour Labor Day holiday period begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, and runs to 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3.