AAA: Nearly 2 million New Jersey residents expected to travel by road for Thanksgiving holiday

AAA’s Tracy Noble suggests before you leave, check your tire pressure and tread and make sure your vehicle’s emergency kit is fully stocked.

Jim Murdoch

Nov 22, 2024, 10:43 PM

Updated 30 days ago

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This week was a good reminder of how quickly the weather can change here in New Jersey and it comes just before nearly 2 million New Jerseyans will hit the roads for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“We’re heading to Tennessee. We’re going to her sister’s house for Thanksgiving dinner,” said John D. from Monterey, California.
“We’re planning on heading out this weekend - thinking about Sunday - and going to be driving, so about 13 hours,” said Alex Anico, who is driving to Chicago.
AAA’s Tracy Noble says nearly 2 million New Jersey residents will travel New Jersey’s roads and many more will pass through or come to the Garden State.
“If you have the ability to be flexible with your plans, we suggest you do that. Check the weather - not only where you are at, but your destination and along the route. Adjust your plans if necessary,” said Noble.
“We always keep track of weather because it varies a lot from here to there, so we’re always looking at what the weather is going to be. We always turn to you guys,” said Anico.
“We’ll pack it back up and head home. We’ll go back the southern route because it’s a little cold on the northern route right now and I don’t feel like putting chains on that vehicle,” added John D.
Noble says AAA is seeing an increase in train and bus travel this year. She says if you’re flying, download your carrier and airport apps and arrive early.
“TSA has beat all the previous records and we are expecting that trend to continue through the end of the year holidays,” she said.
For the return trip, Noble warns to brace for heavier traffic the Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving.
“We’re showing that from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday,” she says.
Noble also suggests before you leave, check your tire pressure and tread and make sure your vehicle’s emergency kit is fully stocked.