One and a half million Michiganians will be heading out of their home town for the Labor Day holiday weekend.

That's according to AAA, which says the nationwide numbers are down about 13% from last year. That's due - at least in part - to Labor Day's late spot on the calendar. The holiday falls when most american families are already back to school.

Even so, 1.4 (M) million residents here in Michigan will travel this weekend, and many will hit the roads. And they'll be greeted by some good news at the gas pump. Statewide prices are averaging $2.59 a gallon, and that's almost $1.25 lower than this time last year.

Law enforcement will be on the roads as well. AAA reports last year 12 people died in 12 different crashes across the state over Labor Day weekend. And the Auto Club says four of those deaths were alcohol related.

The top travel destinations in the state include several in northern Michigan. Mackinac City and Mackinaw Island come in at number one, followed by Traverse City. Boyne Mountain also makes the list at number four.  And Sault Ste. Marie came in at number seven.

From AAA:

For Michigan residents planning a summer vacation, the 10 most popular destinations (based on AAA TripTik requests) are:

1) Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island
2) Traverse City
3) Frankenmuth/Birch Run
4) Boyne Mountain
5) Dearborn (The Henry Ford Museum)
6) Munising
7) Sault St. Marie
8) Dundee
9) Saugatuck/Douglas
10) Lansing

For Michigan AAA members, the 10 most popular driving destinations throughout the United States are:

1) Chicago, IL
2) Niagara Falls, ON
3) Myrtle Beach, SC
4) Washington, DC
5) Gatlinburg, TN
6) Cleveland, OH
7) Mackinaw City, MI
8) Yellowstone National Park, WY
9) Nashville, TN
10) Orlando, FL