Traveling for the Fourth of July weekend is expected to be a busy time, particularly for air travel, as the Transportation Safety Administration anticipates screening over 32 million individuals in airports between July 3-8. However, most Macomb County residents have already made their travel arrangements, with some heading to destinations such as the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Greek Islands, and California.
For those who decide against flying, there will be heavy traffic on the roads, with AAA estimating about 70.9 million travelers heading 50 miles or more from their homes during this holiday weekend. The worst times to travel by car are between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., so it’s recommended to pack the car the night before and leave first thing in the morning.
For those choosing to stay in Michigan, there are plenty of local attractions to explore. Some ideas include packing a picnic and visiting pristine beaches along the state’s shorelines, visiting local museums such as the Selfridge Military Air Museum or Detroit Institute of Arts, planning a road trip that includes stops of interest, booking an adventure such as sailing on a tall ship or ziplining, or inviting friends or relatives to come for a visit and treating them to favorite Michigan destinations.
Travelers should be prepared for potential delays and traffic jams, and should check their itinerary before leaving, as well as monitoring traffic safety through services such as the 511 hotline and navigation apps. If flights are canceled, airlines are required to provide refunds, while delays may be subject to certain criteria for refunds or compensation. However, carriers may offer customers the option of switching flights at no cost.
For more travel information, visit acg.aaa.com/ or michigan.org/.
