Number of drivers up on Labor Day weekend
Posted: 09.05.2011 at 6:48 PM

MARQUETTE -- With the holiday weekend over, those visiting the Upper Peninsula for Labor Day headed home on Monday.  On Monday afternoon, US-41 in Marquette didn't seem to be much more crowded with traffic than usual.

According to AAA, the number of those driving nationally this Labor Day weekend, as opposed to flying, is up by about 100,000, but that same report also says the overall number of travelers was down.

Still, people from out of town managed to make their way to the U.P. for the long weekend.

"I love the environment; the team took us out to the Black Rocks," said Dane Kilpatrick of Milwaukee.  "We went swimming and loved being out in nature and experiencing it."

"It's really scenic, you know fishing out here, pretty nice," said Nicholas Engel of Milwaukee.  "It's relaxing, you don't get it in the city."

Gas prices are also among the highest they've ever been at this time of year.  We found several gas stations in Marquette offering $3.82 a gallon, while many outlying areas have gas priced even higher.

AAA will release its weekly statewide gas price report on Tuesday.