As the sun ushers in the late May warmth, Memorial Day weekend emerges as a magnet for travel. Projections indicate that both Michigan and the nation are on the brink of setting records for holiday excursions. Numbers from The Detroit News suggest that around 45.1 million Americans may set out to mark the unofficial commencement of summer, surpassing the previous record from two decades prior.
In Michigan specifically, the expected 1.29 million travelers represent an uptick from the past, and a clear rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic era's hiatus; this surge encapsulates those venturing at least 50 miles and predominantly by car - statistics that reflect a continuance of the automobile's reign in American travel culture, however, according to Audacy, fuel prices, now at a more tolerable $3.06 per gallon, might be a comfort to those wary of last year's $3.66 pinch at the pumps.
Concerns over economic uncertainty and global strife have not dimmed the American appetite for exploration, with the cushioning fact that gasoline is less of a financial burden this year what Debbie Haas, AAA's vice president of travel, underlined in reports by Audacy, noting "Despite economic uncertainty and global challenges, travel remains a priority for Americans, with millions eager to make memories with a Memorial Day getaway.” This sentiment echoes across the expected modes of transport, with air travel witnessing a significant bump, per The Detroit News, accounting for a 2% increase since last year and a 12% leap over the pre-pandemic period.
