AAA predicts record-breaking Thanksgiving travel

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) -- AAA predicts a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel period, with an estimated 80 million people traveling for the holiday.

The vast majority - nearly 72 million - will drive to their destinations.

The Jon Bon Jovi service area in South Amboy was busier than usual on Tuesday, with many people leaving today to try and beat Wednesday traffic.

“We started this morning around 6 o’clock,’ said Fred Funk, who is driving with his wife from Alton, New Hampshire to South Jersey.

Marguerite Heaton-Colella and her husband are traveling from Atlantic City to Astoria, Queens with their three rescue dogs.

“We have to be prepared with doggie bags, which I have in my pocket,” said Heaton-Colella. “And we have to have treats and we have to have stops.”

Herb and Grace Swanson, traveling to Toms River from the Catskills, have been traveling for Thanksgiving for many years. “Wednesday is usually heavier traffic,” said Herb Swanson.

Regardless of when you travel, be prepared to see more police out patrolling.

“We are going to be on the lookout for aggressive drivers, distracted drivers - especially on our highways,” said Chief John Russo, President of the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police. “They’re going to be so much more congested than they are on a normal day.”

The price of traveling should be a little easier on people’s wallets. The average price for a gallon of regular gas in New Jersey is $2.99, down roughly 30 cents from the same time last year.