Toll of Commuting
News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files
FIFA World Cup

'This is unbelievable traffic.’ Memorial Day travelers share road trip blues

Travel experts say that 12 p.m. through 7 p.m. on Friday was the worst time to hit the road.

Tom Krosnowski

May 24, 2024, 10:16 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

Memorial Day holiday travelers are on their way to and through New Jersey for the long weekend. Hundreds of thousands of people were expected to travel by car this weekend – causing traffic nightmares.

“This is unbelievable traffic,” said Jibreel Sarij, of Long Island. “We were stuck through the Cross Bronx coming through here. But it’s all worth it because it’s beautiful weather and we’re going to enjoy the weekend.”

“Pretty terrible,” said Garrett Welch, of Hoboken. “But it’s clearing up a little bit.”

Travel experts say that 12 p.m. through 7 p.m. on Friday was the worst time to hit the road.

MORE: News 12 New Jersey Weather Center

From Belmar to Baltimore, most of the drivers who spoke to News 12 crews were headed south for the weekend.

“Out of staters, mostly people from New York,” Welch said. “That’s pretty much who else is going to come to Jersey - people in Jersey, and New York.”

But what’s the payoff for all this hassle?

“Memories with my friends,” Welch said.

“It’s a chance to rejuvenate and enjoy ourselves and our time together,” Sarij said.

As for the road back - experts say the worst time to drive is between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Memorial Day itself.

More Stories

More From News12

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices