The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is preparing for the start of the summer travel season and reminding drivers to ramp up for seasonal travel.

During the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, from today through Monday, the PA Turnpike projects 2.9 million motorists will head to their holiday destination via the Turnpike.

This year’s forecast reflects a 1.5% increase from the same period in 2023.

Friday is expected to be the heaviest travel day.

The expected numbers for passenger cars and trucks: today, 680,000; Friday, 710,000; Saturday,

540,000; Sunday, 480,000; and Monday, 490,000.

While travelers may be excited to get away for the long weekend, the PA Turnpike emphasizes that drivers be courteous on the road to help them focus on getting to their destinations safely.

Pennsylvania State Police Troop T will have increased patrols over the holiday weekend to respond to incidents as they unfold, ensure motorists are practicing proper driving habits and take action against illegal or unsafe behaviors such as speeding, aggressive and distracted driving.

The PA Turnpike will have an increased number of GEICO Safety Patrol safety teams throughout the roadway that are there to respond to travelers in need of assistance.

All roadway construction and maintenance projects will be suspended beginning today at 3 p.m. until Monday, May 27 at 11 p.m. to ensure as many lanes are open as possible.

Those heading west Sunday should note traffic could be slower in the Somerset to New Stanton corridor from 3 to 5 p.m. as the Run for the Wall veteran’s organization is hosting a vehicle motorcade that will traverse the Turnpike. More than 300 motorcyclists traveling from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and the Flight 93 National Memorial, Somerset County, will travel west from the Somerset Interchange, exit 110, starting at approximately 3:25 p.m. Sunday. The motorcade is planning a fueling stop at the New Stanton Service Plaza, milepost 77, around 3:55 p.m. before exiting at the New Stanton Interchange, exit 75, and continuing onto Interstate 70 toward their final destination at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Illinois.