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September 01, 2022 News Release

Vacationers Gear Up for End-of-Summer Travel


Vacationers Gear Up for End-of-Summer Travel

Traffic volumes projected to be 1.5 percent higher than last year.

HARRISBURG, PA (Aug. 31, 2022) —As gas prices continue to drop, the PA Turnpike projects close to 2.8 million people will be on their roadway during the Labor Day holiday. This is the five-day period beginning Sept. 1 and ending Sept. 5 and represents a 1.5 percent increase in holiday traffic during the same travel period last year.

“Labor Day travelers should use extra caution due to increased traffic and distracted drivers,” explains PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Activities that take drivers’ attention off the road, including talking or texting on cellphones, eating, talking with passengers, adjusting vehicle controls and other distractions, are major safety threats.” While all distracted driving is dangerous, the type of distractions most likely to result in crashes are dialing a cellphone, texting or being distracted by another person.

Friday, Sept. 2, is expected to be the busiest travel day. The full traffic projections follow here:

  • Sept. 1 — 590,000 vehicles are expected to travel the system;
  • Sept. 2 — 710,000 vehicles are expected to travel the system;
  • Sept. 3 — 550,000 vehicles are expected to travel the system;
  • Sept. 4 — 450,000 vehicles are expected to travel the system;
  • Sept. 5 — 500,000 vehicles are expected to travel the system.

Typically, this holiday represents the last getaway for summer with some motorists traveling the PA Turnpike for the first time. Also, many more travelers are choosing recreational vehicles (RV) to accommodate their family trips. For the infrequent and RV traveler, the PA Turnpike has created a special web section to assist with travel planning. Visit PATurnpike.com and click on Ramp Up for Summer Travel or click Ramp up for Seasonal Travel | PA Turnpike.

The PA Turnpike will have patrols and safety teams throughout the system who are there to assure travelers get safely to their destination. That means responding to travelers in need of assistance, as well as, taking action against illegal or unsafe behaviors. 

To report an accident or other emergency on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 via mobile phone. To learn more about PA Turnpike conditions, use one of these resources:

ON THE TURNPIKE

  • 511PA Smartphone App: real-time, hands-free PA traffic advisories
  • Digital Message Signs: more than 100 boards along the Turnpike

ON THE WEB

BY PHONE

  • 511: dial from any PA roadway for local travel information
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike Customer Assistance Center: 1-877-736-6727, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Media Contacts:   

Carl DeFebo, cdefebo@paturnpike.com, 717-645-2265

Rosanne Placey, rplacey@paturnpike.com, 717-675-4362