If you plan on taking the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you might want to allow some extra time to get to your July 4 destination.
More than six million motorists are expected to travel the Turnpike from Friday, June 28 through Sunday, July 7, according to the Turnpike Commission. That’s an increase of 200,000 vehicles over last Independence Day.
The reason for the projected increase is being attributed to lower gas prices and the July 4 holiday falling closer to the weekend.
“With record numbers of motorists hitting the road for the Independence Day holiday, travelers should be properly prepared, plan ahead, and expect slower going due to increased traffic,” said Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Friday afternoons are likely to be peak travel times with many travelers starting out well in advance of the holiday or taking longer trips because the holiday falls on a Thursday.”
To help accommodate heavier holiday traffic, the Turnpike Commission will suspend maintenance and construction work and have all available lanes open in each direction beginning 5 a.m. on Friday, June 28 through 11 p.m. on July 7.
