MONUMENT – Travelers hit the road today, causing some backups on the notorious gap between Colorado Springs and Denver on I-25.
“The roads, not too bad today,” said a driver named Ryan.
“I think the snow melted off pretty well, actually.”
While the Broncos v. Steelers game may have added some extra traffic, many folks News 5’s Jessica Barreto caught up with were driving across the country to wrap up their Thanksgiving Day travels.
“Nebraska was a little sketchy the whole drive,” said driver Chris Grover.
“Pretty much through Nebraska was icy [but] Colorado’s been nice and we finally got to see got to see the sun, haven’t seen the sun in a week so glad to be back.”
Traveler Greg Bloom from Texas said he’d been driving “on I-25 from Albequerque and the roads have been clear the whole way, little bit of congestion here and there but no weather-related issues.”
Even though weather too much of an issue here, crashes were.
A multiple vehicle crash caused some slow-downs between exit 161 up to County Line Road in the northbound lanes, making drivers headed that way a little worried.
“[I’m driving on] I-25 north and we’re hoping that it’s not too bad today,” added Ryan.
AAA Colorado estimates nearly 930,000 Coloradans will journey 50 miles or more away from home this Thanksgiving.
And overall, it’s a journey they seem to be enjoying.
“I’ve been traveling from Albert county […] and I haven’t had any congestion, any crashes anything like that on the road,” said driver Isabel Corral.
“It’s been beautiful sight-seeing.”
But to keep roads congestion-free, these drivers recommend you pay attention to what’s in front of you.
“Keep your eyes on the road,” said Grover.
“Keep your eyes there,” added Corral.
“Don’t look away, just keep them on the road.”
Bloom said, “Just pay attention, safe following distance, don’t tailgate – unless you’re at the game!”
AAA Colorado estimates this year will mark the highest thanksgiving travel volume since 2005, with 63,000 more Coloradans taking to the nation’s roads, skies, rails and waterways compared to 2017.
