Michiganders hitting the road this Thanksgiving despite high gas prices
MICHIGAN — Even with November gas prices projected at record highs, Michiganders are expected to hit the road this holiday season.
AAA is predicting 54.6 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving. In Michigan, this year is expected to be one of the busiest since 2000.
More than 1.7 million Michiganders are forecasted to travel at least 50 miles this Thanksgiving. That’s an increase of more than 34,000 people — 2 percent — from last year, and the third busiest since AAA started tracking in 2000.
Despite the increase, projected travelers are still fewer than pre-pandemic by about 69,000 people.
“Travel is still roaring back from the pandemic,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA — The Auto Club Group. “While gas prices and other inflationary pressures weigh on budgets, travel remains a top priority for Americans, particularly during the holidays.
"Travel spending is at the highest level since the pandemic began, which is a driving force behind our projections this year. AAA expects busy roads and long lines at the airport, so leave early and be flexible with your travel plans.”
Those planning to drive are likely to see unusually high prices at the pump during their travels.
GasBuddy projects the national price-per-gallon average will be $3.68 on Thanksgiving, nearly 30 cents higher than 2021 and more than 20 cents higher than the previous record of $3.44 in 2012.
Last year was the first time national prices reached more than $3 per gallon at Thanksgiving since 2013, according to GasBuddy data.
Michigan’s highest-ever Thanksgiving prices were $3.61 in 2012, according to AAA. Last year, Michiganders paid $3.33 per gallon on average at Thanksgiving.
Record prices continue a difficult year for drivers.
“It has been a dizzying year at the pump, with motorists likely feeling nauseous not from the eggnog, but from the roller coaster ride at the pump with record gasoline prices earlier this year, which have fallen significantly since mid-summer,”said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“Americans, however, are proving that while we’ll openly complain about high gas prices, most of us aren’t deterred from taking to the highways to observe Thanksgiving with those that matter most to us, especially as precautions from the pandemic have eased.”
Despite elevated gas prices, most travelers on Thanksgiving are expected to travel by car. AAA is projecting 1.5 million Michigan residents will take a road trip, which would be 10,000 more than last year.
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“Higher gas prices don’t seem to be enough to stop people from traveling to be with family and friends,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman for AAA. “We’ve found that, when gas prices are high, travelers look to offset the added cost by spending less on a hotel, shopping or dining out.”
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Michiganders traveling for Thanksgiving despite high gas prices
