There's plenty to do this weekend in Hartland — as our events calendar tells you. And if you stay, Thursday's Get Out column has some great ideas for quick, cheap entertainment. (Live music and Memorial Day celebrations — anyone?)

But if you have to leave us, here's what you should know before you go:

Traffic

Well, if you haven't left yet Friday, you may want to wait until the later evening or first thing Saturday as U.S. 23 can get clogged on Fridays, especially holiday Fridays, but according to the Michigan Drive website and AOL Traffic, speeds are holding steady north into the northern Lower Penninsula as of 4:20 p.m.

When you get on the road and if you're not the one driving, one option you might try is Michigan Drive's new mobile version.

The weather: Pack for chilly nights

Around Hartland, National Weather Service forecasts called for drizzle today with a high of 56 degrees. Saturday and Sunday were predicted to be warmer, but with a chance of rain and thunderstorms. Monday was looking to be sunny and warm.

Across Michigan the weather predictions are similar. Rain was in the forecast today, Saturday and Sunday all the way to Lake Michigan on the west side of the state and up to the Mackinac Bridge. Temperatures were expected to be slightly cooler: in fact, a frost advisory was issued Thursday night for the Traverse City region.

The gasoline report: Here's where to fill up

Gasbuddy.com reports that earlier Friday the Hartland area Mobile and Speedway are both $3.98 a gallon while the Shell is $4.07.

If you just want to get out of town and don't want to take the time to fill up before leaving, know that the Harltand-area gas stations are only slightly higher than the average Detroit gas station price ($3.94) and in line with the Michigan average ($3.97).

Six gas stations in the city of Clare, which some consider the borderline between "Up North" and everywhere else, reported gas prices ranging from $3.72 to $3.99 on Friday morning — though don't try to make it all the way from here to there before filling up.

When you return

You're likely to return Monday to sunny skies and more warmth; a high of 87 is predicted. You can take time to enjoy it — most of the grocery stores are open their normal hours on Monday night, so don't feel like you have to rush to run your typical end-of-weekend errands. But Township Hall will be closed on Monday, along with both branches of the Cromaine District Library will be closed Saturday through Monday and won't open again until Tuesday.