1.2M Mich Labor Day travelers this year

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Nearly 1.2 million Michigan residents will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday weekend, about 1% less than those who traveled one year ago,

They join the 31.5 million Americans who will travel, a 2.4% decrease from last year. This year’s Labor Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 5.

The average price for unleaded gasoline in Michigan this week is $3.77, which is about a dollar more than this time last year.

Michigan State Police say during last year's holiday weekend, 21 people died in crashes across the state. Eleven of those were alcohol-related.

Air leisure travelers will account for some 1% of all travel in Michigan during the holiday weekend. Nationally, that number increases to 8%, according to AAA Michigan. Trips by other modes, including rail, bus and watercraft, will be taken by the remaining 1% of Michigan travelers, and 5% of travelers nationwide.