PORTLAND, Oregon – With Thanksgiving travel approaching, Oregon transportation officials are reminding drivers to prepare vehicles now for winter driving across mountain passes and wet coastal highways. From Portland to Eugene, motorists are being urged to complete maintenance checks and pack emergency kits before the state’s first significant snow and ice events arrive later this month.
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, early November is the best time to inspect tires, check antifreeze, replace wipers, and test batteries. Every car should also carry a winter emergency kit that includes blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, bottled water, snacks, and traction aids such as chains, sand, or kitty litter.
Drivers planning Thanksgiving trips on I-5, U.S. 26, and Highway 97 should expect heavier traffic and changing weather between coastal, valley, and mountain regions. “Oregon’s terrain brings quick shifts — rain on one side, snow on the other,” an ODOT spokesperson said. “A few simple checks now can help prevent dangerous delays later.” Officials also advise keeping fuel tanks at least half full, carrying warm clothing, and checking TripCheck.com for real-time road and pass updates.
With one of the busiest travel weeks of the year ahead, ODOT stresses that early preparation helps ensure safe, smooth holiday travel from the Cascades to the coast as Oregon heads into winter driving season.
