NEPA Roads Busy As Thanksgiving Travel Rush Begins
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: November 21, 2012
Tafton, Pike County - Highways and interstates across northeastern and central Pennsylvania were busy Wednesday as the rush for the extended Thanksgiving holiday began.
According to AAA, more than 43 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home over the next five days.
It is the fourth year travel has increased.
Along Interstate 81 and 84, traffic was heavier than normal but still moving smoothly Wednesday.
Mike and Michelle Hughes are going from Altoona to Rhode Island.
"A little busy around Scranton but that was it," Michelle Hughes said. "Everywhere else was pretty good."
"Troopers are out in force today. I've seen five, six, seven of them since I went out," Mike Hughes said.
At rest areas, like the one off of Interstate 84 in the Tafton-area, there was a steady stream of drivers looking to take a break.
Many groups have set up free coffee break stations, like the Full Gospel Fellowship Church from Hazleton.
"We left at 5:00 AM. The roads were great. A lot of people on the roads but the only time we really got slowed down was when we ran into bridge construction," Clayton Ladd of Virginia said.
