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topicnews · August 28, 2024

Travel tips, petrol prices and more

Travel tips, petrol prices and more

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There’s less than a week of summer before the kids go back to school. There are only a few days left to soak up the sun at the Jersey Shore or enjoy a delicious barbecue with the family. Labor Day weekend is just around the corner.

Travel experts predict that highways, beaches and airports in New Jersey and across the country will be inundated with families trying to squeeze out the last bit of summer over the holiday weekend.

For example, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 17 million passengers between Thursday and next Wednesday, which would be a record for the Labor Day weekend.

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“People are traveling more this summer than ever before,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement.

The busiest day will be Friday; the TSA said 2.86 million passengers are expected to pass through airports across the country.

According to the nationwide consumer price index, airfares have become cheaper in recent months compared to last summer.

Domestic bookings increase

Meanwhile, AAA estimated that the cost of renting a car domestically was 16% lower than last year, potentially luring even more people onto the road.

“Americans see the long Labor Day weekend as an opportunity to say goodbye to summer with one last trip,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel at AAA.

“With many children already back in school, regional road trips tend to be the most popular option for families.”

According to travel club AAA, domestic travel bookings are up 9 percent year-over-year, while international bookings are down 4 percent year-over-year.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark Liberty International Airport, the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, expects 6.7 million travelers to use the airports and river crossings between Thursday and next Tuesday.

That’s about 3% more than in 2023 and 8% more than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic drastically restricted international and domestic travel.

How much will gas cost you this weekend?

The average price for a gallon of gasoline in New Jersey was $3.25 on Tuesday, up from $3.29 a week ago and $3.39 last month, according to AAA data, making the temptation to hit the road this weekend even greater.

Prices are only expected to fall, possibly below $3 a gallon in many parts of the country, especially after the switch to the cheaper winter blend on Sept. 16, said Patrick De Haan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.

Gas prices have been helped by fewer heat waves and a quieter hurricane season, which has led to less disruption to refining activity in the South, including Louisiana and Texas, De Haan said.

“It was a great summer for drivers to hit the road,” said De Haan.

What can you do to avoid headaches on the road?

Thursday, Friday and Saturday are likely to be the worst, “especially because commuters and travelers mix on weekdays,” the AAA said.

According to AAA, the worst times to travel are on Thursday and Friday between 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Tips for a quick security check at the airport

  • Arrive early, even if it’s a domestic flight. The TSA recommends that you arrive at the airport two hours before departure to give yourself plenty of time to get to the gate. For international flights, three hours should be enough.
  • Pack your belongings properly. Save valuable time by making sure you bring the correct amounts of liquids – that’s no more than 100ml in case you forget – and keep them in a clear plastic bag. If you bring breast milk, formula, sippy cups or liquid or creamy medications, you should sort them out at security and put them in their own container. It is also recommended that you keep medications in their original container, which has a label on it.
  • Most importantly, be patient – ​​and be kind

This article contains information from USA Today

Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record.

E-mail: [email protected]; Twitter:@danielmunoz100 and Facebook

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