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3Hotdogs

(15,605 posts)
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 12:18 AM 17 hrs ago

I notice fewer cars on the road this weekend. New Jersey - temp in the low 70's to low 80's. Almost clear skies.

This kind of weather would normally bring heavy traffic to the Parkway as people drive to the shore or A.C. The 100 mile drive to my step-daughter's would normally take 2 1/2 hours. on a Saturday. Yesterday, I made it in 1:40.

Today on Rt 78. In spring to fall weekends, afternoon, Sunday traffic coming back from Pennsylvania to N.J.or NY would usually take an hour and 30 minutes to drive the length of the highway. Today, I made it in less than an hour.

I guess that taking $90 to fill the tank of an S.U.V. is having an effect on some peoples' budgets.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I notice fewer cars on the road this weekend. New Jersey - temp in the low 70's to low 80's. Almost clear skies. (Original Post) 3Hotdogs 17 hrs ago OP
Pick up trucks cost NJCher 17 hrs ago #1
Everybody just HAD to buy SUVs over the last few decades misanthrope 16 hrs ago #2
I hate them with a passion NJCher 16 hrs ago #3
Big black suvs in N.J. may be limos. Driver may be going for a party pick-up or drop off after a ride. 3Hotdogs 9 hrs ago #4
I have an SUV but it's a hybrid. Get about 40mpg. I had half a tank left when I decided to fill up a few weeks Raftergirl 8 hrs ago #5
This afternoon, 3:00 P.M., Millburn Avenue, Millburn. 12 parking spaces open. Last month, you might have found one or 3Hotdogs 2 hrs ago #6
I drove to Central WA for the weekend. maxsolomon 2 hrs ago #7

NJCher

(43,632 posts)
1. Pick up trucks cost
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 12:54 AM
17 hrs ago

$210 to fill up, I hear.

I don't know if the high gas prices are having an effect. I see and hear loud muffler exhaust systems seemingly all the time, although it is now nearly 2 a.m. and I am not hearing them and normally it goes until about this time. So you may have a point.

misanthrope

(9,653 posts)
2. Everybody just HAD to buy SUVs over the last few decades
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:48 AM
16 hrs ago

Those monstrosities now dominate the roadways and have done so much to drive up the price of gasoline since the turn of the century. Well, they wanted them, now enjoy the fruits of that compulsion.

NJCher

(43,632 posts)
3. I hate them with a passion
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 01:56 AM
16 hrs ago

I saw a big black suv—almost a bus—driven by some wimpy scrawny guy. Alone. No passengers.I thought what is the point?

Now, when I look at them and they annoy me, I will think of them at the gas pump. Hah!

3Hotdogs

(15,605 posts)
4. Big black suvs in N.J. may be limos. Driver may be going for a party pick-up or drop off after a ride.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 08:37 AM
9 hrs ago

I used to drive limos in Short Hills. Mostly boring job with very few good stories to tell.

Raftergirl

(1,868 posts)
5. I have an SUV but it's a hybrid. Get about 40mpg. I had half a tank left when I decided to fill up a few weeks
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 09:39 AM
8 hrs ago

ago as one station near me was $0.20 less than everyone else. I had a full tank at end of March. I now have over 400 miles of gas left in my car. Likely won’t need to fill up again, if I don’t put some in when I’m down to half a tank, until August.

3Hotdogs

(15,605 posts)
6. This afternoon, 3:00 P.M., Millburn Avenue, Millburn. 12 parking spaces open. Last month, you might have found one or
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 03:48 PM
2 hrs ago

two if you circled around the block a couple of times.

For you out of staters, Millburn is one of the ten most prosperous shopping districts in the state. Parking on the avenue is hard to find during business hours.

maxsolomon

(39,184 posts)
7. I drove to Central WA for the weekend.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 04:10 PM
2 hrs ago

The resort we stay at - the same weekend every year for decades - is usually completely rented out. This year it was about 75% full. Campground was at about 50%. Fewer RVs, fewer motor homes, fewer ski boats, fewer jet skis, fewer kayakers, fewer paddleboarders. More fishing boats.

It's 100% gas prices. Maybe MFer is saving the planet with his idiotic war by reducing American gas consumption.

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