AAA: Avoid these 3 highways during holiday travel

Robert Sinclair Jr., Senior Manager of Public Affairs, AAA Northeast, says the Staten Island Expressway is going to be 158% more crowded than usual, which is the highest jump in all the country for Thanksgiving travel.

News 12 Staff

Nov 16, 2022, 12:00 PM

Updated 744 days ago

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Travel experts from AAA are advising drivers to avoid certain highways during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Robert Sinclair Jr., Senior Manager of Public Affairs, AAA Northeast, says trouble spots include the Staten Island Expressway, the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn, and the Long Island Expressway specifically near Queens and from Seaford Oyster Bay to Greenpoint Avenue.
Sinclair says the Staten Island Expressway is going to be 158% more crowded than usual, which is the highest jump in all the country for Thanksgiving travel.
He says his best advice is don't leave Wednesday evening, the night before Thanksgiving. "My recommendation has been for many, many years now doing this job...rather than go out and try to fight that traffic on Wednesday afternoon where commuters are mixing with holiday travelers. Go home, get a good night sleep, get up super early the next morning...on Thanksgiving Day itself."
AAA expects over 400,000 members will need roadside assistance, so keep an eye out for drivers or tow truck operators on the side of the road. Go into a farther lane if possible and slow down as you pass.