Busiest travel day began with dense fog

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The busiest travel day of the year began with dense fog slowing the commute for drivers in West Michigan.

Dense Fog Advisories were issued Wednesday morning for many West Michigan counties, and some advisories did not expire until 2 p.m.

There were dozens of school delays and/or closings in West Michigan, due to the foggy conditions.

AAA Michigan says the number of state residents traveling this Thanksgiving is expected to increase about 7% from a year ago, according to the Associated Press. The auto club on Tuesday released its annual Thanksgiving forecast. It says 1.34 million Michigan residents will travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday period, which runs Nov. 21-25.

AAA says 89% of Michigan travelers will go by vehicle, down from last year's 90%. In Michigan, 8% will go by air, on par with last year, while the remaining 3% will go by train or bus.

The forecast comes as AAA predicts 43.6 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over Thanksgiving, up 0.7% from last year.

Michigan authorities say nearly 100 agencies in 20 counties will be conducting extra patrols targeting drunken drivers Wednesday through Sunday around the Thanksgiving holiday, the Associated Press reports.

The average gas price in Michigan as of Wednesday is $3.62, compared to $3.44 for the country, according to GasBuddy.com. Last year at this time, prices were $3.26 and $3.36, respectively.

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