AAA says more Americans will hit the road over the Fourth of July weekend than ever before, and travel experts recommend anyone traveling today or Friday should start driving early or late in the day.   

“Me and the wife heading down to Atlantic City so the earlier the better, right Tony?” says Oscar Ammugauan, of Jersey City. 

AAA predicts 42 million Americans will hit the road and travel 50 miles or more -- more than ever before despite gas prices recently hitting record highs last month.    

“We came from Westchester County and we're heading to the shore and Atlantic City, so yeah trying to beat the traffic, it's been great so far,” says Jianisse Rosa, of Westchester, New York. 

If you're traveling by plane, it might be a little better. AAA projects 3.55 million people will travel by air -- only 7% of expected weekend travelers, the lowest share since 2011, when the economy was still rebuilding from the great recession.  

Even your barbecuing may cost you more this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation, which found the average cost is up 17% this year.  

The Port Authority will conduct DWI checkpoints at its Hudson River crossings Friday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday, with drivers subject to random inspection.