BOSTON (WHDH) - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation says Thanksgiving travelers can expect longer waits and delays—no matter which mode of transportation they plan to take.
Most travelers are expected to drive this Thanksgiving, and Massachusetts officials across the state remind residents to keep safe while driving.
“I think one of the most important things to keep in mind is safety is key. You do not want to start this holiday with a crash,” said Jeff Larason, of the Public Safety Highway Division.
Officials ask that drivers watch their speed, not use cell phones while driving and to not drink alcohol before hitting the roads.
“As the saying goes, buzzed driving is drunk driving. So please plan on having a designated sober driver,” Col. Richard McKeon, of the Massachusetts State Police.
“One of the good things for Thanksgiving travelers is there are more ways than ever before to find real time information. About where the traffic congestion is and what routes folks might want to take,” said Stephanie Pollack, Secretary of Transportation.
Some tips for finding real time traffic updates include:
- Visit Mass511.com
- Call 511
- Use apps like Waze, which is a great tool for the latest traffic updates
This will be the first year that people will be traveling with the Massachusetts Turnpike’s all-electronic tolling system.
DOT officials said they believe the new electronic-tolls will help traffic roll more smoothly than in years past.
The worst traffic is expected “on I-90 at Exit 9 at the interchange with I-84, Exit 11A for I-495, Exit 14 for I-95 and Route 128, and Exit 24 for I-93 North and South” according to the MassDOT website.
The site says the busiest highway travel days will be today, Wednesday Nov. 27 and on the Sunday after the holiday, and advises drivers to take off before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. to avoid congested roadways.
More than a million people are expected to go through Logan Airport this weekend.
Logan Airport officials have asked people to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early before international flights.
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