The West Virginia Parkways Authority is prepared for another busy Fourth of July travel period on the West Virginia Turnpike.
An estimated 1.355 million vehicle transactions are expected to be completed on the West Virginia Turnpike during the 11-day period that began Thursday and running through July 9.
“Because the holiday falls on a Tuesday, we see people who are traveling to a vacation and weekend travelers — the weekend before and the weekend after,” Jeff Miller, executive director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority, explained.
“This 11-day period is typically the busiest we’ll experience in the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day.”
AAA projects 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day weekend, setting a record for the holiday. Domestic travel over the long weekend will increase by 2.1 million people compared to 2022. This year’s projection surpasses the previous July Fourth weekend record set in 2019 of 49 million travelers.
The West Virginia Turnpike expects around 600,000 vehicle transactions in the five-day period from Friday-Tuesday — 175,000 transactions were expected on Friday alone.
“We’ll have everything staffed accordingly within our toll operations,” said Miller. “Our courtesy patrol will be out. We’ll have flaggers positioned on all the mainline toll plazas.”
The West Virginia State Police has also increased its presence on the West Virginia Turnpike during the holiday period.
Miller urges motorists to plan ahead and organize their trip through the West Virginia Turnpike to minimize time at the toll booths.
All West Virginia Turnpike booths are set up to accept E-ZPass with at least one designated
E-ZPass lane northbound and at least one designated E-ZPass lane southbound.
To get an E-ZPass, or to renew an existing E-ZPass, click go to https://transportation.wv.gov/Turn
pike/EZPass. Drivers may also apply in person at the West Virginia Parkways Authority
E-ZPass Customer Service Center, 3310 Piedmont Road, Charleston, WV 25306, or at the Beckley Customer Service Center, 12 Pikeview Drive, Beckley, WV 25801.
The tolls for passenger vehicles are $4.25 per plaza.
