207-871-7771 877-682-9433

Busy Memorial Day Weekend Anticipated on Maine Turnpike

Maine Turnpike Authority Logo FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2023
Erin Courtney
513-2982
ecourtney@maineturnpike.com
CONTACT: Dan Morin (MTA)
838-8613
dmorin@maineturnpike.com


Busy Memorial Day Weekend Anticipated on Maine Turnpike

Miles the Maine Turnpike Moose to visit Kennebunk NB Service Plaza 5/26

PORTLAND, Maine – More than 1 million vehicles are anticipated to travel the Maine Turnpike from Friday through Monday of this unofficial first weekend of summer. Friday is anticipated to be the busiest of all four days system wide. Peak traffic volumes and times are as follows:

  • Friday - Volume heaviest northbound between the hours of 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
  • Saturday – Busiest hours are between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM in both directions
  • Monday – Volume heaviest southbound between the hours of 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM
On Friday, May 26th, Miles the Maine Turnpike Moose will be greeting visitors at the Kennebunk northbound Service Plaza from Noon to 2:00 PM. Miles will be available for photos and Turnpike staff will be available for interviews.

Miles was a staple at the York Toll Plaza on Labor Day for decades, but with the introduction of Open Road Tolling at York he has had to find a safer place to greet visitors and has added Memorial Day to his schedule.

The Maine Turnpike Safety Patrol sponsored by GEICO will also be on the Turnpike this weekend to help travelers who may need roadside assistance, such as changing a flat tire. This free service operates on the busiest stretches of the Turnpike. The Safety Patrol will be in operation on the Turnpike from the Piscataqua River Bridge in Kittery to Exit 19 in Wells, between the hours 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday through Monday.  

Maine residents and visitors can do their part by checking their fuel gauge to avoid running out of gas, ensuring their loads are safely secure, and keeping an eye out for other roadway users.

Construction and maintenance activities on the turnpike will be suspended over the long weekend. However, there are still many construction areas on the pike that include narrowed lanes and reduced speed zones. Please obey the posted work zone speed limit.
###