4th Of July 2024: When To Travel, Gas Prices In New Jersey

NEW JERSEY — The Independence Day holiday is fast approaching with more Americans and New Jersey residents expected to hit the road or skies for a trip over last year, according to American Automobile Association(AAA).

Nearly 70.9 million travelers – including more than two million from New Jersey – are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home through Sunday, July 7. This represents a 5 percent increase compared to 2023 and an 8 percent increase over 2019.

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“Summer vacations are in full swing, and with the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Shani Jarvis, Outreach Manager for AAA Northeast. “We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest ever, with an additional 5.7 million people traveling, compared to 2019.”

Travel By Car

A record 60.6 million people – including more than 1.6 million New Jerseyans – will travel by car over Independence Day week. This is an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year.

If you’ll be hitting the road, AAA warns that the worst traffic delays are expected on Wednesday, July 3, as travelers leave town, and on Sunday, July 7, as they return.

Overall, here are the worst and best times to travel during the five-day period.

Tuesday, July 2

• Worst time: 2-7 p.m.
• Best time: Before noon

Wednesday, July 3

• Worst time: 2-7 p.m.
• Best time: Before noon

Thursday, July 4

• Worst time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Best time: Before 10 a.m.

Friday, July 5

• Worst time: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Best time: Before 10 a.m.

Saturday, July 6

• Worst time: 2-8 p.m.
• Best time: Before 11 a.m.

Sunday, July 7

• Worst time: 1-5 p.m.
• Best time: After 7 p.m.

Gas Prices

As of Tuesday, the average gas price in New Jersey is $3.42, according to AAA.

If you are hitting the road, check out these top 10 cheap fuel prices in New Jersey, according to gasbuddy.com:

1. Exxon, 11 NJ-10E, Succasunna – $3.03
2. Lukoil, 48 NJ-10W, Succasunna – $3.04
3. Fuel 4, 971 US-46W, Kenvil – $3.04
4. Fuel 10, 65 NJ-10E, Succasunna – $3.04
5. Star Fuel, 1174 US-46E, Ledgewood – $3.04
6. US Gas, 911 High St., Burlington – $3.07
7. Costco, 2835 Route 35N, Hazlet – $3.09
8. Liberty, 58 US 130S, Burlington – $3.09
9. Delta, 747 US 46W, Kenvil – $3.09
10. Fuel4, 2 NJ 36, Keansburg – $3.09

Travel By Plane

Travel by plane is also expected to set a new record with more than 182,000 New Jerseyans out of the 5.74 million Americans who will fly to their July 4th destinations. The number of national air travelers is an increase of nearly seven percent compared to last year, and a 12 percent increase over 2019.

“With airports expected to be packed throughout the week, AAA recommends arriving two hours before your flight, reserving parking ahead of time and traveling with carry-on luggage rather than checked bags to save time and money,” according to AAA.