As the holiday season gets into full swing, millions here in New Jersey and across the country are gearing up to hit the road for the holiday travel period, defined as Dec. 23 to Jan. 1. And because of how Christmas and New Year’s fall this year, a lot of that moving is beginning as soon as Thursday, with many employers instituting some versions of extended weekends over the next two weeks.

In fact, AAA Northeast projects 115.2 million people will travel 50 miles or more from their home during that designated travel period – marking a 2.2% increase over last year and the second-highest since the American Automobile Association began tracking holiday travel, falling short of just 2019.

Of that figure, nearly 104 million will drive to their holiday destination, a 1.8% increase from 2022 and again the second highest on record, behind 2019.

AAA projects that airports will be the busiest they have ever been over the year-end holiday travel period, with 7.5 million air travelers expected this holiday season — surpassing 2019’s 7.3 million passengers. AAA also expects the number of travelers taking other modes of transportation – such as bus, train or cruise – to surpass 2019 levels, with slightly more than 4 million Americans expected to travel by one of these means, versus 3.66 million last year and 3.89 million in 2019.

“This year-end forecast mirrors what we’ve been observing throughout 2023,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “More Americans are investing in travel to make memories with loved ones and experience new places.”

The busiest time of the year

Here in our region, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey projects 14 million travelers will use its airports and vehicular crossings during the 13-day peak travel period, which it defines as Dec. 21 to Jan. 2.

Continuing travel trends seen throughout the year, the agency expects it to be the busiest Christmas and New Year travel period ever for the three major airports.

During the holidays, 5.2 million air passengers are projected – topping 2019’s 5.1 million air travelers who used Port Authority airports. The agency noted that international travel will be especially robust, with a 5% increase in seat capacity expected across its major airports versus pre-pandemic 2019.

The Port Authority encourages all travelers to plan ahead and allow for additional travel time at its airports – stressing that travelers can expect longer wait times due to higher passenger volume and ongoing construction.

For drivers, the Port Authority estimates nearly 8.6 million vehicles will use its bridges and tunnels during that 13-day period — a similar volume compared to 2019. To accommodate the anticipated volume, all lane closures for non-emergency construction at crossings will be suspended from 5 a.m. on Dec. 23 through 5 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2024.

According to INRIX, a provider of transportation data, Dec. 23 and Dec. 28 will be the busiest days on the road, while Dec. 30 will see an increase in traffic compared with a normal Saturday. The company says the best times to hit the road during the holiday period are before lunchtime or after 7 p.m.

Friendly reminders this holiday season from @NewJerseyDOT pic.twitter.com/u3uBwP0vSl

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 5, 2023

Filling up

The heavy travel on the roadways comes with the backdrop of gas prices easing a bit versus last year. On Wednesday, average gas prices here in New Jersey were around $3.11 per gallon, according to GasBuddy – compared with roughly $3.24 per gallon a year ago.

GasBuddy says that as millions of Americans hit the road nearly 100,000 fueling stations nationwide are offering gasoline at $2.99 or less. On Christmas Day, the national average is projected to be $3.09.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that prices over the holiday weekend will have dropped nearly 80 cents per gallon versus earlier this fall.

However, a $2.99 national average seemed to be on the horizon, De Haan said, before a sudden surge following news of the Federal Reserve Board hinting at interest rate cuts and Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which caused prices to rebound a bit in the holiday run-up. He says that while the rise may last a week or two, increases should be minimal – and he expects over half of the nation’s states to stay close to the $3 per gallon average.

“For the second-straight year, we’ve seen the national average stop just short of falling below the $3 per gallon mark, though tens of thousands of gas stations around the U.S. will still have prices at $2.99 or lower,” said De Haan. “While most are just trying to get through the holidays, we’ve been crunching numbers for what motorists can expect for 2024. Our annual Fuel Outlook, to be released in the coming days, offers some hope of lower prices for the year ahead.”

All aboard

On the rail side, the Port Authority notes that the PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, while offering supplemental service from 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 4:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

NJ Transit is offering extra service during this holiday period with more travel options via train, light rail and buses – as well as offering customers its SuperSaver fare. The pricing allows up to two children, 11 and younger, to travel free with each fare-paying adult all of December and until Jan. 2, 2024, at 6 a.m.

You can learn more here about the agency’s holiday travel schedule and offerings as well as via the NJ Transit app.

Hopefully – especially given the expected holiday travel volume – there are no bulls running on roadways or rail tracks. This week, NJ Transit leaned into a Dec. 14 incident when a Texas longhorn steer named Ricardo wandered onto the train tracks at Newark Penn Station. Police officers and animal rescue agents attempts to safely corral him caused delays between Newark and New York Penn stations.

NJ TRANSIT rail service is subject to up to 45 minute delays between Newark Penn and PSNY, due to Police activity near Newark Penn Station. NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes are being cross-honored by PATH and Hoboken, Newark Penn and 33rd Street New York.

Police activity: pic.twitter.com/XrtIEK5ZGH

— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) December 14, 2023

Ricardo was eventually safely captured and transported to Skylands Animal Sanctuary & Rescue in Sussex County, which rescues, rehabilitates and cares for farm animals that have escaped slaughter. NJ Transit said Ricardo is now resting comfortably at the sanctuary, which boasts 232 acres of pastures for more than 400 farmed animals.

The story drew national attention with the picture going viral on social media. NJ Transit is now selling a stuffed animal version of Ricardo, which can be purchased for $20 at NJTransitShoppe.com. A portion of the proceeds go directly to Skylands.

All of us here at NJBIZ wish all of our readers a happy and healthy holiday season – and safe travels ahead as we get ready to turn the calendar to 2024.