Whether your travel plans take you near or far this Thanksgiving weekend, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) encourages drivers to slow down, buckle up and plan ahead for congested roads. According to AAA, nearly 1.6 million Wisconsinites will travel to their destinations this holiday. Peak travel times are anticipated between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 27), 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday (Nov. 29), 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 30) and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 1).
“We’re thankful to the people who work around the clock to keep our highways safe – emergency responders, highway workers, WisDOT staff, and many more professions,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “Let’s work together on safe, responsible driving behaviors so we can all make it our destinations safely this holiday season. Please put the phone down, buckle up, drive sober and check 511 Wisconsin to ‘know before you go’.”
Most highway projects are winding down for the 2024 construction season. A few remaining highway projects that may impact travelers include:
- Columbia County: Three lanes are open in each direction on the I-39/90/94 bridge over the Wisconsin River, south of Portage. Watch for lane shifts and reduced speed limits.
- Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties: Expect intermittent ramp and local street closures in certain segments along I-43 between Glendale and Grafton.
- Milwaukee County: Motorists should expect various ramp closures and single lane closures along I-43 between Capitol Drive and the Marquette Interchange.
- Milwaukee County: Three lanes are open in each direction on I-894 between the Mitchell Interchange and 84th Street. All ramps are open.
- Milwaukee County: WIS 32 (N. Lake Drive), between Newberry Blvd. and Edgewood Avenue in the city of Milwaukee, is closed to through traffic for reconstruction work.Northbound and southbound detours are posted.
Access real-time information on travel conditions, live traffic cameras, work zones and incidents across Wisconsin:
- Download the free 511 Wisconsin app
- Visit 511wi.gov
- Follow @511WI on X
- Dial 511
Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on the road ahead.
All Wisconsin rest areas are open. These facilities offer restrooms, amenities and a break from travel.
WisDOT offers these safety reminders:
- Buckle Up, Phone Down – every trip, every time.
· Slow down. Posted speed limits apply to ideal travel conditions. Drivers are required to travel at a “reasonable and prudent” speed based on weather and traffic conditions.
· Eliminate distractions and focus on what’s ahead. Texting while driving is prohibited and very dangerous. It is also illegal in Wisconsin for drivers to use a handheld mobile device in work zones.
· Move over or slow down for emergency responders stopped along a highway with their warning lights flashing. That includes police and fire vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles. In addition, state law restricts use of a cell phone in areas surrounding those vehicles.
· Steer It, Clear It! State law requires drivers to move vehicles involved in a crash out of traffic if no one is hurt and the vehicles can be moved safely. If someone is hurt or the vehicle is disabled, drivers should not risk injury by trying to push the vehicle out of traffic.
During the holiday weekend, motorists may encounter the WisDOT Safety Patrol, sponsored by GEICO, along sections of I-41 in Outagamie and Brown counties, I-43 in Milwaukee County, and I-39/90/94 in Columbia County. The fleet of specially equipped vehicles help manage highway incidents within construction work zones to keep everyone safe. Learn more about the WisDOT Safety Patrol.
Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) customer service centers will be closed from Thursday, November 28 to Saturday, November 30. DMV online service is open 24/7 at wisconsindmv.gov. Online shoppers should sign up for DMV’s eNotify (wisconsindmv.gov/eNotify) for alerts and to receive confirmation of transactions to avoid fraudulent activities on their account.
Airline travelers will need to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or state ID card or another acceptable form of identification (such as a passport) beginning May 7, 2025, for domestic air travel or to enter a federal building or military base. Wisconsin DMV has information on the documents you need to bring to a DMV for a REAL ID card (wisconsindmv.gov/REALID).
