While the Easter bunny makes his rounds without the aid of a hydrocarbon fuel source, Ann Arbor area residents who are traveling this holiday weekend will likely rely on gasoline.

The timely news that gas prices fell 6.7 cents per gallon this week is more welcome than the artificial grass that remains in the Easter basket after the goodies are eaten.

The AAA of Michigan reports a current statewide average of $2.79 per gallon. While lower than last week, it's still 71 cents higher than a year ago.

At $2.83 per gallon, Ann Arbor has the highest prices in the Lower Peninsula, followed most closely by Traverse City at $2.82.

Prices within Ann Arbor ranged from $2.75 to $2.99 per gallon.

The best bargain in the state is found at pumps in the Saginaw and Bay City area, where prices are $2.68 per gallon.

In the national picture, Michigan occupies a comfortable position between the high of $3.47 in Hawaii and the low of $2.59 in Missouri. At $3.10 per gallon, California has the highest prices in the continental U.S.

For Ann Arborites returning from a visit to Ohio, filling up in the Buckeye State at the average of $2.70 per gallon will be a smart move.

Current prices appear to be consistent with forecasts from the United States Energy Information Analysis, which says, “Average U.S. pump prices likely will exceed $3 per gallon at times during the forthcoming spring and summer driving season.” Some commentators blame the lack of petroleum refining capacity for the high prices.

Nancy Cain, spokesperson for AAA of Michigan, says that despite relatively high gas prices, “We do know people will be traveling within the state. There’s a lot of vehicle travel as people are visiting family.”

She reports the most popular out-of-state destination is Disney World.

Popular in-state destinations like Frankenmuth and Saugatuck have plenty of accommodations and represent travel bargains, according to officials.

“Everything is pretty open, so we’ve got plenty of room,” says Herb Zeilinger, Frankenmuth Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesman. “For the last three years, we’ve been doing an event patterned around Osterbrunnen.”

He explains the term represents the art of decorating hollowed out eggs, as well as fountains and wells, according to Austrian and German tradition. The community’s decorations went up March 19 and will remain till April 18.

Shopping offers like the popular Bavarian Bargains coupon book also coincide with those dates.

Across the state, options are open in Saugatuck. “I’m sure there’s plenty of space available,” says Felicia Fairchild, executive director of the Saugatuck-Douglas Convention and Visitors Bureau. “At this time of year, people are still offering reduced rates—particularly in this economy.”

Fairchild touts the sunrise services on Easter morning and the various brunches offered by restaurants around town. Then, at 1 p.m., a quirky parade begins at the Douglas police station.

She says, “If people don’t have plans at home or figure it would be a very nice idea to go away, it’s a lovely option for families, couples or friends to come to a small, friendly town like Saugatuck for the Easter holiday.”