Road Warriors Check In On The Messy Thanksgiving Eve Travel Day
By Tony Hanson and David Spunt
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) --- Temperatures dropped through the morning, and as sleet and snow started to mix in, makign the choice to alter driving plans on the roads were looking better and better.
On the New Jersey Turnpike, a lot of people traveling for the holiday got an early start and were nice enough to pause in rainy, chilly weather to share their stories.
Among them, Justin and Jessica Hiller. "We're heading from D.C. to Boston and it's just lots of rain. That's all we've had so far," Justin said.
They said they left early because of the weather, changing their plans a bit.
"I had to take the day off because I was scared that we wouldn't be able to travel today, so my boss was like, it's fine, go!" Jessica said.
And a mom and a daughter were all smiles even in the rain as their journey from Virginia to New Jersey was nearly over and a visit with friends near.
Back in Northeast Philadelphia, the road conditions were starting to deteriorate on Wednesday afternoon.
Woodhaven Road near I-95 experienced a steady snow and sleet mix throughout the day, leaving a slush coating on cars.
Meanwhile, the thousands who passed through the Allentown area on Wednesday saw around three inches of snow. Eyewitness News spoke to travelers heading to their Thanksgiving destination.
"I'm on my way up to see my daughter. She just gave birth yesterday," Chuck Gephart told Eyewitness News.
Allentown and surrounding areas saw a consistent coating of snow for the majority of the day. The roads remained fairly clear, with small amounts of slush.
"I like the winter weather as long as we're prepared for it," said Brandon Moore, who was on his way to New York.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, Pennsylvania State Police reported no major accidents in the Allentown/Bethlehem area.
And the weather didn't get get everyone down. Renee took the most of weather and turned it into an entrepreneurial opportunity, selling flowers by the side of the road.
One thing's for sure, the travelers who left early to avoid the weather are coming out ahead on this messy Thanksgiving eve.
