CLEVELAND — Thanksgiving week has arrived, which also means the busy holiday travel season is upon us.
With millions of drivers expected to hit the roadways in the coming days, there are some peak traffic times you need to know before making the decision on what time is best for your family to start your road trip.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in Cleveland has put together the following guidelines on when you can expect the heaviest traffic and busiest roadways...
MONDAY, NOV. 20
- Travel: Moderate
- Busiest times to avoid: Between 2-8 p.m.
TUESDAY, NOV. 21
- Travel: Heavy
- Busiest times to avoid: Between 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 22
- Travel: Moderate
- Busiest times to avoid: Between 12-4 p.m.
THURSDAY, NOV. 23
- Travel: Light
- “OK all day"
FRIDAY, NOV. 24
- Travel: Light
- “OK all day"
SATURDAY, NOV. 25
- Travel: Light
- “OK all day"
SUNDAY, NOV. 26
- Travel: Moderate
- Busiest times to avoid: Between 2-6 p.m.
Wednesday is expected to be among the busiest, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol encourages drivers to use caution and focus on the roads this holiday season.
"Holiday travel brings a lot of anticipation and eagerness to arrive at your destinations quickly," Chuck Cyrill with the Ohio Turnpike says.
Cyrill told 3News the Turnpike expects record numbers for holiday travel. AAA forecasted 55 million people nationwide will travel at least 50 miles by air or road from Wednesday until Sunday.
During that time period last year, OSHP says 19 people died across the state on the roads.
"The goal is to save lives," OSHP Sergeant Ryan Purpura explained. "Limit those distractions behind the wheel, put down the electronic device, do not drive impaired, and buckle up."
The Highway Patrol says alcohol and or drugs were linked to 12 of the fatal crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2022. Troopers will monitor the Ohio Turnpike throughout the holiday week.
According to Cyrill, they aren't anticipating any construction projects to impede traffic this week.
"Travelers should plan ahead and be aware when you're traveling during peak hours," Cyrill said. "You will encounter some delays."
And after this year, Ohio Turnpike E-ZPass customers won't have to stop while traveling throughout the state — a new system is being installed that will charge customers electronically as they drive through toll plaza's.
"When the new system goes live, our customers with E-ZPass will be able to travel the entire distance of the turnpike — that's 241 miles — non-stop," Cyrill said, adding the new system is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
On Wednesday, the Ohio Turnpike will have a customers appreciation event at Vermillion Valley Service Plaza from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be prizes and complimentary food samples at the event, as the Ohio Turnpike and OSHP promote safe travel.
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