Plan ahead for extra busy roads this Thanksgiving holiday weekend
The combination of holiday travel, Black Friday and the Oregon-Oregon State football game could mean extra delays
Holiday traffic, Black Friday shopping and Friday's Oregon State-Oregon football game in Eugene may mean delays.
Nov. 21, 2023
Contact: Don Hamilton, 503-704-7452
If your holiday plans include travel over this long weekend, remember that we all need to use caution and pack our patience when heading out to visit loved ones. A combination of holiday travelers, Black Friday shoppers and football fans means that your trips may require advance planning.
The Oregon-Oregon State football game in Eugene falls on a Friday this year when many folks may head to their favorite shopping destinations. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m., so consider that when planning your route.
Before you leave home, pack extra supplies in your car in case you are delayed on your trip. Snacks, water, warm clothes and a phone charger can make delays easier and safer. Take a look at Tripcheck.com before you leave and use it to plan the best route. With over 700 cameras and live traffic updates, Tripcheck.com will help see current conditions no matter where you plan to go.
The forecast in Western Oregon doesn’t call for troublesome weather but conditions can change rapidly and travelers should always watch the forecast carefully before hitting the road.
Here are more tips for safe travel during the holiday weekend.
- The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year, regardless of conditions. Expect delays, plan ahead, and allow extra travel time.
- Make sure there’s a sober, focused and alert driver behind the wheel to help you get to and from your destinations. We all know that turkey makes us sleepy.
- Be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists who are often more vulnerable in heavy traffic.
Keep in mind there are often other, more relaxing ways to get around, like the Amtrak train in the Willamette Valley or your local public transit service. Some may be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Check out your many options for car-free travel on ODOT’s website.
No matter how or where you travel in Oregon, be prepared for delays and changing conditions. Don’t forget to look out for each other, our crews, and emergency responders on the road. Everyone deserves a safe holiday weekend.
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