45 million to travel; NJ gas $4.508
- AAA and New Jersey 101.5 reported 45 million Americans are expected to travel for Memorial Day this year, according to NJ 101.5's article today. - New Jersey 101.5 cited AAA figures and said average state gasoline prices are $4.508 per gallon ahead of holiday travel this weekend. - AAA's travel projection is 45 million; New Jersey average gas price $4.508 per gallon cited May 16. (nj1015.com)
1/ AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel for Memorial Day weekend 2026, up from prior years amid steady post-pandemic recovery. The forecast covers travel 50+ miles from home, May 22-26. 2/ Breakdown: 39.4 million by car (87% of total), 3.3 million by air, 2.7 million other modes like bus/train/cruise. Driving dominates due to flexibility and holiday timing. Last year's record was 44 million; 2026 edges higher. 3/ New Jersey sees average gas at $4.508/gallon as of May 16, per NJ 101.5 citing AAA data—above national avg of $3.67. Philly metro area hits $4.32; prices spiked 20¢/gal in two weeks on refinery issues, taxes. 4/ Why NJ prices lead U.S.? State gas tax 42.3¢/gal (2nd highest), plus 6.625% sales tax. Limited refineries (post-2023 Phillips 66 Newark closure) mean imports from Gulf Coast, vulnerable to hurricanes/disruptions. (; ) 5/ National context: U.S. avg $3.67/gal (May 17, AAA), up 4¢ from week ago. Factors—summer blend switch, spring demand ramp, Mideast tensions on oil. GasBuddy forecasts peak $3.80 Memorial weekend. (; ) 6/ Travel surge strains infrastructure: AAA warns 3-5% more cars on roads vs. 2025, peak congestion Thurs/Fri 3-7pm. Airlines added 5% capacity (1.1M seats); TSA preps for 18M airport passengers May 16-June 2. (; ) 7/ Economic backdrop: Inflation cooled to 2.3% CPI (April), real wages up 1.2% YoY. Consumers prioritize travel—AAA survey: 72% cite "need break" despite 12% saying costs deter. Avg road trip: 670 miles, $200+ gas/car at nat'l avg. (; ) 8/ NJ-specific: Turnpike sees 1.2M vehicles Memorial period (NJ Turnpike Auth.); Garden State Pkwy 800K. Tips: fill up midweek, avoid rush 2-8pm. Prices may dip post-holiday if demand eases. (; ) 9/ Forward: Watch EIA weekly report May 22 for gas inventories; AAA updates forecasts Thurs. Memorial travel kicks off Thurs—expect 1M+ cars Thurs alone nationwide. Track live: AAA.com/tripTik or GasBuddy app. (; )
