Fourth Of July Holiday Getaway Begins

Holly (WWJ)  -- Metro Detroiters are getting a head start on their Fourth of July fun, opting to take off Thursday and extend their three day weekend into four.

But not as many are making the trip up north as in previous years.  I-75 in northern Oakland County early Thursday  morning was scarce with campers and cars carrying canoes and other necessities of summer fun.

Adam Ouvery of Eastpointe has some serious road time ahead. He's off to Tahquamenon Falls in the eastern Upper Peninsula for a camping trip.
 
"I haven't been there since I was little," he told WWJ's Ron Dewey.  " We always go camping somewhere different every year, and this is where we chose to go."

Dale Hart of Hazel Park has the truck loaded for fun along Houghton Lake.  His plans for the weekend are simple and straight forward.
 
"Watch the fireworks, relax and forget about work," he said.

Not as many of us will be heading anywhere.  AAA Michigan says one million Michiganders will travel during the holiday weekend, but car travel for the fourth will be down by 3 1/2% from last year because of the economy.  High unemployment is still expected to  keep more people in their back yards.

At the same time, air travel is expected to take off by an additional 7 1/2%  due to lower air fares. In fact, AAA Michigan says bargain travel deals may help people decide whether to stay or go this weekend.

The economy obviously didn't stop Ouvery, but he said they had to budget for it. 

"We planned ahead and started saving for this trip," he said.

Hart is just glad he doesn't have to spend $100 to fill the tank on his pickup.
 
"Thank God gas prices are not like last year," he exclaimed. "Otherwise, we might not be taking this trip. We went last year, but we had to tighten our belts....we took a hit."

Gas prices are about $1.50 lower on average from last year's $4 a gallon nightmare that kept many summer travelers closer to home.  Another aid to travellers is the fact MDOT is suspending construction work on major thoroughfares across Michigan for the weekend so people can reach their destinations without the normal barrels and barricades in their path.

There are a number of activities going on around Detroit.  Comerica CityFest is taking place through the weekend.  Click here for details. 

If you are staying close to home a number of communities will be shooting off fireworks.  Click here for a list. 

But check with WWJ throughout the weekend for updated traffic and weather on the 8's.  Click here for traffic updates.   Click here for weather updates.