Fewer cars on Turnpike during Fourth of July

West Virginia Parkways Authority announced fewer cars were traveling during the recent Fourth of July holiday.

Officials announced more than 1.3 million vehicles drove the 88-mile section of Interstate 77 between June 30 and July 10. The eleven-day period around the independence holiday is typically the busiest on the West Virginia Turnpike.

According to the Parkways Authority, more than 1.45 million vehicles traveled on the turnpike last summer. Many virus restrictions were also beginning to lift last summer, but this year the high price of gas may have played a part in the reduction.

The busiest days on the West Virginia Turnpike were July first with 169,071 vehicles, and July second when 139,956 cars traveled the section of interstate.