Travel prices may keep people in state for holiday, could help Mich. economy

Labor Day weekend has always been popular for students to head home and for families to go on vacation, but high gas prices may keep some students in East Lansing.

“I think less students are going to go home this weekend because of the high gas prices,” said predental freshman Mike Degenhardt. “Although I know some families that are traveling.”

Many Michigan residents are still planning to travel during the holiday weekend, according to a AAA survey.

It is estimated that 1.2 million Michigan residents plan on some sort of travel, which is about the same amount as a year ago, said Jim Rink, a AAA spokesman.

“Some people planned trips earlier in the year so they are going to travel no matter what,” said Bill Shreck, communications representative for the Michigan Department of Transportation.

According to AAA, gas prices in East Lansing are an average of 78.5 cents higher than they were during Labor Day weekend last year.

The statewide average gas price is 86.4 cents higher than a year ago.

“Travelers in Michigan still want to enjoy the summer travel season,” Rink said. “Even if they may have to adapt.”

Some travelers may even be getting to their destinations in different ways.

“The amount of people riding the bus is up,” Rink said. “Carpool numbers are up as well.”

Some people are just driving less.

“There is more local traffic now because people are staying close to home,” AAA traffic spokeswoman Debbie Pearson said.

“Not a lot of people are heading across the state or to the Upper Peninsula.”

Many travelers from the middle of the state will only travel as far as Traverse City, she said.

Families traveling over the weekend often head to vacation homes, Shreck said. The Mackinac Bridge is another popular destination during the holiday weekend because of the Bridge Walk, but fewer people are expected to make the trip this year.

Air fares are up significantly, which has led to an 8.1 percent decrease in air travelers since last year.

Labor Day, however, doesn’t have as many travelers compared to other summer holidays.

“The Fourth of July and Memorial Day are the busiest summer holidays,” Pearson said.

Labor Day traffic tends to start Friday morning and end by Monday night.

“Many people are traveling within the state of Michigan,” Rink said, “which means that people’s vacation money is being spent here.”

Published on Thursday, August 28, 2008