2.9M Michiganders Expected To Travel For Holidays

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - This Christmas travel season in Michigan is expected to be slightly busier than last year's.

Nancy Cain with AAA Michigan says about 2.9 million state residents will travel 50 miles or more from home during the 2012 holiday period.

"The economy is a bit better than it was last year and on our survey, the people told us that they were going to travel whether gas prices were up a little bit. Thankfully they're not, but they'd travel even if prices went up a bit because it was important to spend time with family and friends.

Cain said 91 percent of those travelers will be traveling by motor vehicle.

"And the majority of those folks are telling us they're going to stay in Michigan," Cain said."But we do know seven percent of us will be going by air. That's up a bit from last year in Michigan. And then the remainder, a little more than two percent, will be going by bus or train to the destination."

Cain said the busier travel season is due to a better economy, as well as lower gas prices. "On average gas is only about four cents more than it was last year at this time. So that is good news for motorists and expected to continue through the holiday," she said.  "We've got ample supply, crude oil prices are holding steady, so we are seeing people traveling."