NORFOLK, Va. — The holiday season is upon us and that means the roads will be busy, so expect traffic.
VDOT officials said it's only going to get worse as people set out for their Thanksgiving destinations and they expect Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. will be the busiest time for people to hit the roads.
“I’m really excited for interstate 64, 95. It’s going to be a lot of fun. We are bringing blankets, extra water a port-a-john in the back. All of that,” explained traveler Jack Howell who is headed to Fredricksburg, Virginia with his family for Thanksgiving.
“I am anticipating three hours. It usually takes two hours 15 minutes. We are having 38 [people] for dinner for Thanksgiving and that’s a lot of my cousins and aunts and uncles and we would be crazy to miss that,” he explained.
VDOT officials said expect backups on I-64 Westbound as well at the HRBT and Monitor Merrimac bridges.
Research shows the busiest days to travel are Tuesday and Thanksgiving morning.
VDOT Communications Manager Holly Christopher said before you drive, call 511 to receive the latest road conditions. You can also find most of the information on message boards on the interstate.
“It’s going to be between 11 and 7 traditionally so leave before that, leave after that. Whatever works best for your schedule,” explained Christopher.
Howell said he plans to leave Thursday morning and is hoping for no traffic!
“Time on 64, 95 is worth that time with family,” Howell explained.
VDOT’s operations center is open 24/7 to monitor the roads and help drivers.
For better traffic flow, VDOT is lifting the tolls on the express lanes for the holiday.
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