Record 71M Americans expected to travel by car for Thanksgiving
RIDGEFIELD PARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- For travelers hitting the roads, there is a bit of reprieve when it comes to gas prices.
The average price for a gallon of gas is down from this time last year.
However, if drivers aren't taking to the roads sooner than later, they are going to be met with gridlock congestion, particularly on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Across the New York City metropolitan area, as well as the greater United States, Thanksgiving eve is set to be one of the worst driving days on record.
According to AAA, 71 million people will hit the roads. That marks a jump of 1.1 million people compared to 2023.
A Long Island traveler who stopped in New Jersey to gas up before taking off down the Turnpike told Eyewitness News that, so far, traffic has not been an issue.
"Sometimes it takes me three hours to get to my daughters in Jersey so it depends on the traffic; so, 4:30 is good time to leave. So not for her (daughter), maybe, it was good for me," driver Janet Faulker said.
The agency estimates that 80 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more. In New York City, gas prices are down 41 percent since January.
When it comes to area bridges and tunnels, the Port Authority estimates 5.5 million people will use them to reach their holiday destinations.
ALSO READ: Record number of Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving holiday across the U.S.
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