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.

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.