Updated on 05/22/2026 at 8:40 a.m.
With Memorial Day weekend kicking off summer travel, the local forecast for travel remains strong in the face of higher costs and gas prices.
Even with inflation and high gas costs, people are still prioritizing travel, especially shorter and more flexible trips closer to home. The U.S. Travel Association’s 2026 forecast says domestic leisure travel is growing, despite inflation affecting the pace of growth.
Destination Ann Arbor Director of Media Relations Chad Wiebesick says close-to-home road trips remain a popular choice for many.
“And I think that actually positions Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County pretty well because we're easy to get to. There's enough in our community to build a full weekend around local restaurants and shopping and museums and events and visiting friends and families.”
He says the local area is not somewhere people have to make big plans to enjoy a memorable getaway.
“People may be more mindful of costs this Memorial Day weekend, but they're not going to give up on travel. You know, they're looking for places that feel easy and worthwhile and are close enough to make the most of a long weekend. And so that's where Ypsilanti and the Ann Arbor area really shine.”
AAA Auto Club predicts 1.3 million Michiganders will travel this weekend. MDOT says it will lift restrictions on many road and bridge projects to ease travel.
Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. Make your donation to WEMU today to keep your community NPR station thriving.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on X (Twitter)
Contact WEMU News at 734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
