PA Turnpike Ready for Easter Travel Weekend

PA Turnpike Ready for Easter Travel Weekend

Travelers should plan ahead, prepare for increased traffic and pay attention to the road

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — The upcoming Easter travel weekend is expected to be busy and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) is ready for more travelers to hit the road.

The PA Turnpike projects 2.21 million travelers between Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6. Daily PA Turnpike traffic projections for the holiday period are as follows:

With a high number of motorists traveling on the PA Turnpike this weekend, the PA Turnpike maintains its dedication to providing a safe and efficient travel experience for all and urges everyone to drive responsibly and adhere to all traffic regulations.

To ensure as many travel lanes are open as possible, PA Turnpike maintenance and construction crews will suspend all work beginning at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 until 11 p.m. on Monday, April 13. As part of the GEICO Safety Patrol initiative, PA Turnpike personnel will have increased patrols on the roadway, along with PA State Police.

Here are some tips for traveling this holiday weekend:

• Practice safe driving habits, including driving responsibly, powering off your devices and removing unnecessary distractions.
• If you see an emergency responder on the road, follow Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law and move over into an adjacent lane if it is safe to do so, or slow down to a speed of not more than 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.  
• Take advantage of the most cost-effective way to travel on the PA Turnpike with E-ZPass. Sign up online or find a nearby retailer to save up to 50 percent on your tolls.
• Be sure to properly mount your transponder for a more seamless trip.
• Regardless of whether you want to save with E-ZPass or travel with Toll By Plate, get ahead of your travel and easily manage your tolls through the PA Toll Pay App | PA Turnpike.
• Find out exactly how much your toll is going to be ahead of time with the PA Toll Calculator.
• Know that help is just a call away, thanks to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Safety Patrol, sponsored by GEICO. Dial *11 via mobile phone to get support or report an incident or other emergency on the PA Turnpike.
• And remember, you will never receive a text from the PA Turnpike for unpaid tolls after your travel. Instead, you can access your account safely through the PA Toll Pay App or your E-ZPass Account to manage your account activity. When in doubt, go directly to the portal and avoid interacting with unsolicited texts, calls or emails.
  

Throughout the month of April, the PA Turnpike and Pennsylvania State Police will team up for its first toll enforcement initiative, targeting aggressive drivers and those driving on a suspended registration resulting from unpaid tolls. This coordinated enforcement initiative will take place across the state throughout the month, with troopers issuing tickets or citations, or impounding vehicles to drivers with suspended registrations linked to unpaid PA Turnpike tolls and fees.

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

Changeable Message Signs: more than 200 boards along the PA Turnpike

ON THE WEB

511/511pa.com: live, interactive map

X/Twitter: @PATurnpikeAlert

BY PHONE

511: dial from any PA roadway for local travel information

Pennsylvania Turnpike Customer Assistance Center: 877-736-6727, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike. 

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Media Contacts:

Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com 

Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com