A Jersey driver's dream

CNN on the ground: A Jersey driver's dream
Editor's Note: CNN has reporters up and down the East Coast to cover Hurricane Irene. We'll be providing updates throughout the day on the scenes they are coming across and the people they talk to.

[Updated 2:17 p.m. Saturday]

(On the road in New Jersey) I had a nice motel all to myself on Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, before my CNN bosses told me they needed me to go to Atlantic City.

Now I have a nice freeway all to myself.

The southbound Garden State Parkway is closed, but I managed to sweet-talk my way past a cop at a roadblock and it's been smooth sailing from there. Never in my life have I driven on a freeway this big and been the only one on it. I haven't passed another car or even seen another car for about 25 miles.

There was a military Humvee parked sideways across the highway with two soldiers standing by it. They got in and drove my way for about three miles before stopping to park sideways again.

Apparently I'm the only fool crazy enough to head to Atlantic City. It's kind of eerie, but at least the tolls are free today.

-- Journalist Aaron Brodie