As people travel across the state to be with loved ones this Thanksgiving, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is anticipating another busy holiday period with more than 3.2 million vehicles expected to travel the turnpike between November 24th and 29th.

Travelers have been getting better prepared in recent years and tend to start their holiday a little earlier to try and beat some of the inevitable traffic jams. As a result, the Commission expects some of the heaviest traffic volumes from as early as 3 p.m. on November 24th until 8 p.m, with those volumes mirrored or even increased after Thanksgiving on November 29th, from noon until around 8 p.m.

“We have seen a recent increase in motorists traveling on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, which means heavy traffic earlier in the week as people try to get a jump on what had traditionally been the busiest travel day of the year on our system,” said Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission CEO, Mark Compton.

To maximize traffic flow and minimize traveller’s frustrations, the Commission has restricted the amount of ongoing construction and maintenance work so that motorists can use at least four lanes over the holiday period. Only construction work that does not directly impact key travel lanes will continue which may reduce some of the shoulder widths on portions of the Turnpike.

Despite these efforts, Compton still emphasized that “With high traffic volumes in a compressed timeframe, motorists should be ready to deal with slow-moving or stopped traffic and plan accordingly.“

He also took the opportunity to remind drivers that they are required by law to move over to protect emergency responders along the roadside and encouraged any drivers who see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights to allow it a clear travel lane. State Farm Safety Patrols and the State Police will also have units on hand to assist any motorists who end up in difficulties and keep traffic flowing smoothly.

Troop T, the division in charge of Turnpike patrols is urging drivers to follow the posted speed limits and to keep an eye out for pedestrians when traveling through toll plazas. “Not everyone is courteous on the roadway, and our troopers will be looking for those aggressive drivers to stop that kind of behavior,” said Captain David L. Cain, Commanding Officer of State Police Troopers.