Thanksgiving Travel Rush: Heavy Traffic Expected in New Jersey

Post-Thanksgiving Travel Forecast

• 🚗 Millions of travelers are expected to head home after Thanksgiving, leading to heavy traffic, especially in the afternoon.
• 📈 AAA reports that approximately 73 million people traveled to their Thanksgiving destinations by car, an increase of 1.6 million from previous years.
• ✈️ Most people opted for road travel over air travel due to the high cost of flights.

Avoiding Travel Congestion

• ⏰ To avoid the worst congestion, travelers should aim to depart before 10:00 AM today or before 11:00 AM tomorrow.
• ⚠️ Leaving in the early afternoon means hitting the thick of traffic, which is expected to last until Monday.
• 🚦 Those who left early in the morning reported the best travel experiences.

Port Authority Estimates

• 🌉 The Port Authority anticipates 5.5 million people will use its bridges and tunnels.
• 🗓️ Travelers using these routes are advised to utilize off-peak hours to minimize delays.

Personal Travel Strategies

• 😴 Some travelers, like a father and son interviewed, woke up at 1:00 AM to beat the traffic and enjoy more time at home for holiday activities like decorating the Christmas tree.
• ☕ They fueled their early morning journey with hot chocolate and strong coffee.
• 🛣️ I-95 is highlighted as a particularly busy corridor, emphasizing the benefit of early departures.