Thanksgiving travel estimates are up slightly this year, with cheaper gas prices likely to prompt many New Jersey residents to go "over the river and through the woods."

two happy women in a car
(Mauricio Jordan de souza coelho, ThinkStock)
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"AAA is expecting 1.2-million New Jersey residents to travel 50 miles or more," Tracy Noble, manager of Public and Government Affairs for Triple-A/Mid-Atlantic said. "That is a slight increase of 1 percent from those who traveled for Thanksgiving 2014."

Noble says Thanksgiving is a holiday where people visit friends and family. She said about 89 percent of those taking long road trips go by car.

"Thanksgiving is a time to get together with those folks and simply share a meal. There are no gifts involved. So it is just about being together," she said.

We also know that hitting the road will be less expensive, according to Triple-A, with gas prices at their cheapest level in seven years right now.

But it will not all be fun over the holiday weekend. AAA also estimates that approximately 26,000 stranded motorists, including 7,000 in New Jersey, will call for roadside service during the holiday weekend.

AAA's estimate also includes an increase in airline travel. Tracy Noble emphasizes that in light of recent terror events, flying home for the holiday will be more challenging, "get to the airport extra early, allow yourself extra time to get through security."

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5.

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