Memorial Day weekend in Michigan: Expect more travelers, lower gas prices

• Nearly 1.3 million Michiganders are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home this Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA
• Gas prices are lower than last year, with an average of $3.14 per gallon in Michigan
• Airline tickets cost about 2% more on average than last year at this time, with 70,000 Michiganders expected to fly domestically

Michigan travelers can expect lower gas prices this Memorial Day weekend  than during the same holiday last year, with nearly 1.3 million Michiganders expected to travel at least 50 miles from home — the highest Memorial traffic in Michigan since 2005, according to AAA. 

“We've seen steady growth in travel every year since 2020, and 2025 is no different,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson for AAA. “Despite economic uncertainty and global challenges, travel remains a priority for Americans with millions eager to make memories with a Memorial Day getaway.” 

Nationwide, AAA expects a Memorial Day weekend record of 45.1 million domestic travelers. Of those people, 39.4 million will travel by car — one million more than last year — and those who do hit the road can expect to see lower gas prices. Last Memorial Day, the average gas price in Michigan  was $3.66; as of Tuesday, the average price for a gallon of gas was $3.14. 

“Compared to where we've been in years past, gas prices to start Memorial Day are far more affordable than we've seen really since the pandemic,” said GasBuddy gasoline price analyst Patrick DeHaan. 

Related:

• Michigan’s REAL ID deadline: What you need to know before May 7
• Memorial Day weekend in Michigan: Higher gas prices, more crowded airports

Excluding the pandemic year of 2020 and adjusting for inflation, gas prices nationally are at their lowest level since 2003. DeHaan attributes that to a drop in the price of oil propelled by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and an unexpected increase in oil production. 

“Tariffs and trade act as a tax on Americans, and likely would lead to a slowdown in the US economy, which would also then trickle down to a slowdown in oil consumption, and that has had an impact of undermining the price of oil as well,” DeHaan said. “So, we expected gas prices to be lower again this year, but not to the degree that we're seeing.”

INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects the most traffic in the afternoons over Memorial Day weekend. Drivers should leave early or prepare for congestion, with INRIX predicting that the best time to leave will be before 12 p.m. on most days. 

Construction on the Mackinac Bridge may delay Michiganders travel plans even more. According to the Mackinac Bridge Authority, cold and rainy weather delayed repaving work and the replacement of a modular joint, so there will be lane closures over the holiday weekend. The work is expected to be completed May 29.

Air travelers can expect crowded airports. AAA predicts 3.61 million air passengers in the US, a nearly 2% increase from last year. Around 70,000 Michiganders are expected to fly this weekend, the same as last year. 

Although road-trippers will save on gas, flight tickets cost more this year. Domestic flight tickets are 2% more expensive than last year, with the average roundtrip ticket costing $850, based on AAA booking data. While this Memorial Day weekend isn’t expected to set an air travel record, the numbers are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%.

Those flying domestically should bring a passport or a REAL ID, which is marked by a star in the corner of a driver’s license, state ID or enhanced license. Those without a REAL ID can expect delays at check-in.

Pump prices

Here are the average pump prices for a regular gallon of gas in Michigan, according to AAA:

• Ann Arbor: $3.17
• Benton Harbor: $3.11
• Flint: $3.07
• Grand Rapids/Muskegon/Holland: $3.21
• Jackson: $3.13
• Lansing/East Lansing: $3.23
• Marquette: $3.09
• Metro Detroit: $3.10
• Saginaw/Bay City/Midland: $3.15
• Traverse City: $2.93