NEWARK, NJ – New Jersey’s Wednesday morning commute turned sluggish as traffic delays built up across major highways, tunnels, and parkways, compounded by dense fog that reduced visibility across much of the state. Despite all lanes remaining open, heavy volume and weather-related slowdowns led to extended travel times throughout the region.
The Lincoln Tunnel reported 30-minute delays from the New Jersey Turnpike’s Exit 16E to Midtown Manhattan via both the center and south tunnels. Similar backups developed at the Holland Tunnel, where eastbound drivers faced 20-minute waits from both the Turnpike Exit 14C and Route 139 at Tonnelle Circle.
On the state’s busiest corridors, the Garden State Parkway saw multiple pockets of congestion. A 3½-mile northbound delay stretched from Exit 145 in East Orange to Exit 148 in Bloomfield, while a separate 2½-mile backup was reported farther south between Clark and Cranford. Southbound lanes also slowed through Bloomfield and East Orange, adding roughly two miles of stop-and-go traffic.
In North Jersey, U.S. 206 experienced delays near Flanders Netcong Road in Mount Olive Township, while Route 21 northbound crawled between Ackerman Avenue and Route 46 in Clifton. Meanwhile, I-287 northbound in Middlesex County backed up between Piscataway and Franklin Township during peak volume.
Commuters face widespread congestion on turnpike and interstates
Turnpike travelers weren’t spared either. Northbound drivers encountered a two-mile delay on the Western Spur approaching I-280 in Newark, and slower traffic continued near the Newark Liberty International Airport exit in Elizabeth. Westbound I-78 drivers also faced backups between Union and Springfield Townships due to dense morning volume.
- Three key takeaways from the morning commute:*
- Heavy fog and peak-hour traffic created widespread slowdowns across northern and central New Jersey
- Tunnel crossings into New York saw 20–30 minute delays at both the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels
- The Garden State Parkway and Turnpike were the most congested routes during the 8 a.m. hour
Transportation officials advised drivers to use caution, allow extra travel time, and remain patient as the morning fog lifts and traffic gradually improves through late morning.