Near-Record Travelers, Inclement Weather Expected For W.Va. Thanksgiving Week

Jeff Miller, executive director of the Parkways Authority, said an estimated 710,000 drivers will pass through West Virginia Turnpike toll booths over the 2024 six-day Thanksgiving holiday. Many more will travel on other roadways throughout the state.

“As always, the West Virginia Parkways Authority will be fully prepared for high volumes of travel during Thanksgiving week,” Miller said. “In addition to Toll Operations and Maintenance being fully prepared, we will have additional traffic flaggers staged at each toll plaza, as well as additional troopers from West Virginia State Police Troop 7 and Courtesy Patrol members for motorist assistance.”

Those drivers might face severe weather from Thursday to the weekend. Current forecasts suggest low temperatures, plus rain or snow, in much of the state. AAA Regional Public Affairs Manager Lori Weaver Hawkins covers West Virginia. She recommends Mountain State motorists ensure their tires have good tread and proper air pressure. 

“It’s not unusual to come out in the morning and see your tire pressure warning light is on,” Hawkins said. “That’s because as the air temperature fluctuates, it expands and contracts, the same with the air in your tires.”

Hawkins said it’s a sound idea before traveling to check vehicle fluid levels, and be sure you have a sound car battery.

“As we get into this colder weather, your battery is working a lot harder,” Hawkins said. “It’s important that it has the strength to get you through the cold weather. If that battery is getting to be about three years or older, it’s a good idea to get that tested before you head out on a road trip, because it’s likely to be needing replacement fairly soon.”  

Hawkins said motorists should also have an ice scraper, a snow broom and a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle.

“You need to have a vehicle emergency kit that has things like flares, reflective triangles, jumper cables and a flashlight with fresh batteries,” Hawkins said. “Make sure you have a charging cord. I tell people to throw in a few bottles of water, maybe some non-perishable snacks, if you bring the family dog, bring a bowl for some water as well.” 

Other items Hawkins recommends for winter holiday travel include a can of de-icer, a fold-down shovel and something for traction.

“You want to have a small bag of sand or some snow melt, or even some cheap kitty litter,” Hawkins said. “Some people even get traction mats, depending on your location and how much snow you usually get.”