PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – The West Virginia Parkways Authority has released their Christmas and New Years holiday travel forecast.
This year, the Turnpike is expecting 1.48 million transactions to take place over the 14-day travel period from Friday, Dec. 20 through Thursday, Jan. 2.
“Christmas and New Years Day being on Wednesdays this year last occurred in 2019, so a review of days and transactions was performed to compare those travel days to 2024 YTD transactions and 2023 Christmas holiday transactions. We estimate that we will have 1.48 million transactions over this 14-day period surrounding the Holidays,” said Jeff Miller, Executive Director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority.
Friday, Dec. 20 is expected to be the busiest travel day of the holiday period with 140,000 toll transactions at the three toll plazas.
The full estimated transactions for the holiday period include:
- Friday, Dec. 20 – 140,000
- Saturday, Dec. 21 – 130,000
- Sunday, Dec. 22 – 135,000
- Monday, Dec. 23 – 105,000
- Tuesday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve)- 52,500
- Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – 52,000
- Thursday, Dec. 26 – 130,000
- Friday, Dec. 27 – 130,000
- Saturday, Dec. 28 – 120,000
- Sunday, Dec. 29 – 115,000
- Monday, Dec. 30 – 105,000
- Tuesday, Dec. 31 (New Years Eve) – 75,000
- Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Years Day) – 85,000
- Thursday, Dec. 2 – 105,000
“As always, the Parkways Authority will be well prepared and at times the West Virginia Turnpike will experience heavy amounts of traffic during peak travel times, on certain days. Please plan accordingly, and please sign up for your E-ZPass accounts.” Miller said.
During the holiday travel period, AAA predicts nearly 600,000 West Virginians are expected to travel.
Miller urges motorists to plan and organize their trip through the West Virginia Turnpike to minimize time at the toll booths.
The tolls for passenger vehicles are $4.25 per plaza.
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