TRENTON – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Fran O’Connor has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting today at 3 p.m. Friday, December 26 based on the forecast for a significant winter storm statewide, with the highest accumulations of snow expected in North and Central Jersey.

Winter weather is expected to begin this afternoon with snow changing to ice and rain as the storm continues into tomorrow, Saturday, December 27, which could make driving conditions treacherous in North Jersey and parts of Central Jersey. The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states. In addition to the commercial vehicle restrictions, all motorists are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel on Friday and Saturday.

The commercial vehicle travel restriction will begin today at 3 p.m. Friday, December 26 and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions: 

I-78 (entire length)
I-80 (entire length)
I-280 (entire length)
I-287 (entire length)
NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-28

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:

All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
Recreational vehicles
Motorcycles

This restriction DOES NOT apply to:

The New Jersey Turnpike
The Garden State Parkway
The Atlantic City Expressway

Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food. For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order. 

Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – DO NOT PARK ON SHOULDERS. 

NJDOT is coordinating with all state and regional transportation agencies to ensure the most effective response to the storm. In order for NJDOT and our regional and local transportation partners to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow, motorists should avoid driving unless you are an essential employee needed for emergency response. If you must drive, motorists are advised to:

SLOW DOWN and obey posted speed limits
Always STAY CLEAR of plowing and spreading trucks.  If they are behind you, let them pass
DO NOT pass between trucks that are in a plow formation
Leave early and allow extra time 
Leave a safe following distance between vehicleshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?si=60KpEqLKb_LDxTlh&v=DsT39WU8bbQ&feature=youtu.be
Use caution on bridges and ramps
If you are driving and road conditions deteriorate, PULL OFF somewhere safe and wait it out
Be patient and use caution
When ice, sleet, or freezing rain are in the forecast, motorists should use extra caution
Keep an emergency kit in your car with a cell phone charger, water, snacks, blanket, and other items. See the NJ Office of Emergency Managements website for more information: http://ready.nj.gov/plan-prepare/winter.shtml

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT, the NJDOT Facebook page, and on Instagram @newjersey.dot.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Watch NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor’s message about making roadway safety a way of life.