Holiday travelers prepare for Thanksgiving rush

Central Point, Ore. — Tanker truck driver Darrell Nelson was filling up at a Central Point truck stop to beat the busy roads.

“We’re expecting a lot of car traffic the next couple of days and then Thursday will probably die off to hardly anything, so most of the trucks are going to try to get home in the next day or two,” projected Nelson.

Although Nelson says he won’t be driving on snowy roads, he says it can be quite scary from experience.

Many may welcome fresh snow on Mt Ashland, but holiday drivers could find travel really challenging.

Oregon Department of Transportation’s Gary Leaming encourages travelers to make sure their vehicles are ready for winter conditions.

“Make sure you have plenty of tread on your tires, make sure you have your chains packed and know how to use them, have plenty of water and food, make sure your defroster and all of your lights are working as well.”

Leaming says crews will be working hard to keep the roads clear. They plan to be fully staffed with plows and de-icers out on the road.

However, Leaming says it’s a team effort with the public driving safely.

For updated road conditions throughout the week, you can go to tripcheck.com or call 5-1-1.