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The basics:

• More than 1 million NJ residents expected to travel
• Gas prices near four-year Memorial Day highs
• Newark Liberty, Port Authority expect heavy volume
• NJ Transit adds service for holiday travelers

More than 1 million New Jersey residents are expected to travel over Memorial Day weekend, with road trips again dominating the holiday getaway despite rising gas prices and broader economic uncertainty heading into the unofficial start of summer.

AAA projects just over 1.05 million New Jerseyans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the five-day holiday period from May 21–25. That figure is essentially flat compared with last year, down about 0.2%, or roughly 1,600 travelers.

However, it still reflects continued strong demand for holiday travel amid mounting cost pressures.

“Memorial Day travel remains a strong priority for New Jersey residents … ” said AAA Club Alliance spokesperson Tracy Noble. “While overall holiday travel is essentially unchanged from last year, we are seeing travelers plan more carefully and budget more strategically as higher gas prices and increased transportation costs impact vacation spending.

Even as gas prices reaching four-year highs, driving remains, by far, the preferred mode of transportation. Noble said AAA expects more than 956,000 New Jerseyans to drive to their destinations. Accounting for 91% of all holiday travel in the Garden State, the figure remains virtually unchanged from last year.

“At the same time, cruises and other alternative modes of transportation continue to gain popularity as travelers look for flexible and memorable vacation experiences over the long holiday weekend,” said Noble.

Fill ‘er up?

According to GasBuddy, the national average price for gasoline stood at $4.55 per gallon as of May 20. Meanwhile, New Jersey drivers were paying an average of $4.53 per gallon.

The fuel savings mobile app and platform forecasts the national average will hit $4.48 per gallon on Memorial Day itself — up sharply from $3.14 per gallon during the holiday last year.

GasBuddy also projects gasoline prices will average $4.80 per gallon nationally throughout the summer travel season. It notes the potential for all-time record highs if disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz continue.

“This is the most volatile summer at the pump in years, and the Strait of Hormuz closure is at the center of it,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Americans are going to pay billions more to get where they’re going this summer, and even after the Strait reopens, it could take a year or more for prices to fully recover.

Americans are going to pay billions more to get where they’re going this summer, and even after the Strait reopens, it could take a year or more for prices to fully recover.
—Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis, GasBuddy

“Some states are already suspending gas taxes to ease the pain, and federal discussions are underway. Every bit of relief matters. Use every tool you have, including GasBuddy, to find the lowest price near you.”

GasBuddy’s newly released 2026 Summer Travel Survey found that 56% of Americans still plan to take road trips this summer. However, that figure is down significantly, from 69%, last year as travelers adjust budgets and reconsider discretionary spending.

More than two-thirds of respondents said gas prices directly impact their travel plans.

Up in the air

Air travel, meanwhile, remains robust across the region regardless of slightly softer statewide numbers. AAA projects just over 73,000 New Jerseyans will fly during the holiday weekend, down 1.6% from last year.

At the regional level, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey expects a record-setting holiday travel period across the region’s airports and crossings.

The agency projects approximately 5.6 million travelers will use Port Authority facilities between Thursday and Monday. That includes more than 2.1 million passengers traveling through Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and New York Stewart International airports — up about 1% from last year’s record.

PANYNJ expect Friday and Monday to be the busiest airport travel days.

The Port Authority also estimates roughly 3.5 million vehicles will cross its bridges and tunnels during the five-day period. To help ease congestion, the agency said it will suspend all non-emergency construction and repair work at crossings from Friday morning through early Tuesday. PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule on Memorial Day.

Anywhere but here

Over Memorial Day weekend at Newark Liberty, United Airlines expects more than 56,000 travelers per day to fly to more than 100 destinations worldwide. The figure represents a slight increase from last year.

Nationwide, United anticipates nearly 4 million passengers between May 21–27, roughly 270,000 more than last year.

“All of the destinations are attractive to the customer,” Allan Twigg, managing director of the Station Operations Center at Newark Liberty, told NJBIZ. “It’s actually a really good sign that there’s not one particular hotspot destination, but all of the destinations are attractive to the customer.”

United said top destinations for Newark travelers this weekend include Orlando, Las Vegas, London, Rome and Tampa.

The airline is also seeing strong early demand tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches this summer across North America. That includes for games and the championship final coming to MetLife Stadium.

“We’re probably looking at probably like a 20% increase in bookings just in that time period of the World Cup,” Twigg said.

Heading in the right direction

He noted Newark’s operations have rebounded dramatically over the past year, following the runway construction and Federal Aviation Administration staffing challenges that disrupted travel during the summer of 2025.

“If you think about almost where we were 12 months ago, what a difference in the operation,” he said. “Last year, we were in the middle of the runway construction, trying to get one of the runways paved, getting that project done, and then in the midst of that, of course, dealing with the FAA issues that were happening at the time as well.”

“We went from pulling the schedule down to size it for the construction, and then initially having to pull it down once again to help work with the FAA,” Twigg added. “We got down to about 250 operations per day through the height of that experience, and now we’re in the ballpark of 380 operations now that we have got the runway back.”

Twigg also pointed to significant progress on the air traffic control side over the past year. He noted that FAA staffing and operational coordination have improved substantially since the disruptions that impacted Newark last summer.

The FAA has been “getting controllers trained and out on the floor,” Twigg said, while working closely with United and the Port Authority to better align traffic volume and airport capacity heading into the busy summer season.

“We’re leading New York in our on-time performance; leading all three airports, leading the carriers,” he said. “I’m really confident with where we are and what’s been done, and the direction that they’re going.”

“It’s huge. It’s exciting,” Twigg added about the progress made on those operational fronts, combined with new investments from United to maximize the onboard experience for travelers with more amenities and a full slate of destinations. “You feel it when you come in the terminal.”

“And our customer service agents, the passion that they have, and the excitement around welcoming our travelers – it’s tangible,” Twigg continued. “You can feel that because there’s a lot of confidence in our ability to provide what we’re signed up to provide.

“So, I’m really excited about it, because what we’re seeing is Newark being able to operate the way Newark should – and at the capacity that we’re doing it. It’s night and day difference between last year and this year.

“Anybody that traveled through here last year and they come back and they travel through this year – they’re going to notice it,” Twigg added.

Plan accordingly

Public transit agencies are also preparing for elevated holiday demand.

Taking your tolls

Chickie’s & Pete’s is teaming up with the South Jersey Transportation Authority and the Atlantic City Expressway to pay travelers’ tolls on Memorial Day weekend. On May 22, all drivers passing through the Eastbound Egg Harbor Toll Plaza Exit will travel free from 4-5 p.m. Get the details here.

NJ Transit will offer early getaway rail and bus service Friday afternoon to accommodate travelers leaving early for the holiday weekend. Additional outbound trains will operate on several major rail lines, including:

• Northeast Corridor
• North Jersey Coast
• Morris & Essex
• Raritan Valley

The agency also extended its Family SuperSaver Fare promotion through the holiday weekend. The deal allows up to two children ages 11 and under to ride free with each fare-paying adult. The promo begins Friday evening and runs through early Tuesday morning.

Enhanced shuttle service will also operate hourly between Bay Head and Long Branch throughout the weekend to support Jersey Shore travel demand.

Officials advise travelers to prepare for heavy congestion and delays regardless of transportation mode. And to allow for additional travel time throughout the busy holiday weekend.

“Whether you are driving, flying or going by some other mode of transportation, expect crowds, expect delays and plan accordingly,” said Noble. “Pack your patience.”

NJBIZ wishes everyone a safe, enjoyable and relaxing Memorial Day weekend as the summer travel season gets underway.