Holiday travel hits record highs in NJ as gas prices fall
Listen to this articleThe basics:
- AAA projects 72.2M US travelers over July 4 holiday, up 2.4%
- More than 2M New Jerseyans expected to travel 50+ miles
- NJ gas prices drop to $3.14 per gallon — lowest since 2021
- Port Authority expects 5.5M travelers at airports, crossings
The holiday weekend is getting into full swing, with 72.2 million Americans expected to travel domestically over the July Fourth travel period, according to AAA.
AAA’s Independence Day forecast includes the period between June 28–July 6. The organization said it adopted the range to better reflect the flow of holiday travelers. That 72.2 million number reflects an increase of 1.7 million travelers (up 2.4%) versus last year — and 7 million more than in 2019.
Here in Jersey, AAA projects that over 2 million residents will travel 50 miles or more from home (up 2% from last year).
“Summertime is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and July 4 is one of the most popular times to get away,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance. “AAA is seeing strong demand for road trips and air travel over Independence Day week. With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire
Key things to know from AAA:
- 66 million New Jersey travelers (83%) will drive to their destination (up 1.5% over last year)
- Nationally 61.6 million will travel by car (up 2.2%)
Travel tip: AAA recommends getting routine vehicle maintenance ahead of your trip and packing an emergency kit.
- 187,440 New Jersey travelers (9.3%) will fly to their destination (up 2.4%)
- Nationally 5.84 million (8.1%) will travel by air (up 1.3%)
- 154,273 New Jersey travelers (7.7%) will use other means – train, bus, cruise, etc. – of transportation (up 7.6%)
- Nationally 4.78 million travelers (6.6%) will use other means of travel (up 7.2%)
- July 2 and July 6 are expected to be the busiest days on the roads
- During last year’s Fourth of July week, AAA said it responded to nearly 700,000 emergency roadside assistance calls for a slew of issues
“With the majority of travelers driving to their destination this holiday, drivers should prepare for above-average delays to their favorite destination,” said Noble. “Travelers should monitor 511 services, local news stations, and traffic apps for up-to-the-minute road conditions.”
Flying high
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey projects that 5.5 million total travelers will use its airports and crossings over the holiday travel period, which it measures as between July 3–7.
That total volume is similar to 2024 levels; it includes 3.3 million drivers and a record 2.2 million air travelers.
The agency strongly encourages all air travelers to plan ahead and allow for additional travel time due to passenger volume and ongoing construction. Port Authority noted that Thursday and Monday are expected to be the busiest days at the region’s airports (Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International and Stewart International).
On July 4, the PATH is operating on a modified Saturday schedule with additional evening service.
NJ Transit says it is recognizing the holiday with “early getaway” rail and bus service, which begins July 3. More information on NJ Transit’s holiday travel service can be found here.
Gas prices dip
Meanwhile, travelers getting to their destination by car are seeing the lowest prices at the pump over the Fourth of July holiday in several years.
According to GasBuddy, the average price per gallon in New Jersey today is $3.14, down 30.5 cents from a year ago.
GasBuddy released its 2025 Independence Day gas price forecast June 30. It projected the national average on July 4 to be $3.15 per gallon — down nearly 35 cents from the same day last year, and the lowest Independence Day price since 2021.
Because of that dip in prices, GasBuddy says that Americans will spend over $500 million less on gasoline from July 3–6 versus last year.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said that it marks the third straight year-on-year decline for gas prices on July 4. He attributed the lower costs to the continued gradual rebalancing of the U.S. economy post-pandemic as well as cooling Middle East geopolitical tensions and increased oil production from Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in recent months.
“With tensions in the Middle East cooling off after a few weeks of volatility, consumers planning to hit the road for the Independence Day weekend will see gasoline prices falling in the run-up to July 4 nearly coast to coast,” said De Haan. “Relief could continue as the holiday weekend approaches, with the national average falling to its lowest July 4 level since 2021.
“As long as tensions don’t escalate again in the Middle East and the U.S. isn’t threatened by a major hurricane, we could see the national average fall below $3 per gallon later this summer.”
NJBIZ wishes all travelers a safe, happy, and healthy holiday weekend ahead.
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