Traffic Update At Jersey Shore: Labor Day Weekend Edition

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — Labor Day weekend has arrived and is bringing the traffic along with it.

The final official weekend of summer was seeing increasing traffic on the roads leading to the Jersey Shore, with slowdowns on the Garden State Parkway southbound.

The state Department of Transportation website 511nj.org was showing a backup of more than 3 miles as a result of volume into the Toms River toll plaza. The trip from the Raritan River bridge south to exit 63 for Long Beach Island was taking just over a hour as of 2 p.m.

The forecast for the weekend for sunny skies and highs near 80 degrees likely will bring people eager to get away for a respite, especially after the storms and flooding in areas north and west.

According to the Accuweather forecast for Toms River, Friday's sunshine is expected to continue through Monday, with a slight chance of a shower on Sunday and Monday.

In addition to the growing traffic on the Garden State Parkway, and eastbound traffic was increasing on Interstate 195 and the Atlantic City Expressway, and on Route 37 toward Seaside Heights and Route 72 to Long Beach Island. Traffic on Route 36 to Sandy Hook was light on Friday afternoon. There were minor delays on Route 55 for those traveling toward Wildwood and Cape May.

Saturday and Sunday morning will likely see heavier traffic on those roads as well, with daytrippers heading to the boardwalks and beach areas.

Lifeguards are on duty throughout the shore. Please be sure to heed what they tell you about rip currents and storm threats. Need information on beach badges? Check out Patch's 2021 Jersey Shore Beach Guide: What To Know.

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