Over 1 million New Jerseyans expected to travel for Memorial Day weekend despite four-year high gas prices
Road trips continue to be the overwhelmingly preferred method of travel, with more than 956,000 New Jerseyans planning to drive to their destinations
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More than 1 million New Jersey residents are gearing up to head out for Memorial Day holiday weekend
More than 1 million New Jersey residents are gearing up to head out for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, marking a massive kickoff to the summer season despite heavy economic headwinds.
According to new holiday projections released by AAA, approximately 1,053,000 New Jerseyans will travel 50 miles or more from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25. While travel demand remains incredibly resilient, economic uncertainty and a dramatic surge in fuel costs have kept growth in check. Overall travel volume is virtually flat compared to last year, down a marginal 0.2%, about 1,600 fewer travelers.
“Memorial Day travel remains a strong priority for New Jersey residents, even as economic uncertainty and rising fuel costs influence travel decisions this year,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “We are seeing travelers plan more carefully and budget more strategically as higher gas prices and increased transportation costs impact vacation spending.”
Road trips continue to be the overwhelmingly preferred method of travel, with more than 956,000 New Jerseyans planning to drive to their destinations, accounting for 91% of all holiday travelers.
However, motorists hitting the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike or interstate highways will face a brutal reality at the gas pump. Due to impacts from the conflict in Iran and subsequent ripple effects across the petroleum industry driving up crude prices, gas prices have skyrocketed to a four-year high. Drivers in New Jersey are currently paying an average of $4.50 per gallon, which is roughly $1.50 higher than during the same period last year.
The soaring cost of fuel is also impacting air travel. AAA projects just over 73,000 New Jerseyans will fly to their holiday destinations, a 1.6% decrease from last year. Industry experts note that while travelers who booked months ago likely locked in lower rates, those buying last-minute tickets are facing steep fares as airlines adjust to surging jet fuel costs.
Conversely, the only travel sector seeing an increase this year is the "other" category, encompassing cruises, trains and buses, which is up 3.7% with more than 24,000 residents taking part. A major surge in ocean cruise popularity is driving this growth, with AAA projecting a record-breaking 21.7 million Americans taking cruises nationwide this year as travelers seek bundled, flexible vacation options.
With massive crowds expected on the roads and at the airports, AAA is urging travelers to prepare well in advance.
