Watch CBS News

Turnpike Offers Free Coffee Over Turkey Day Holiday

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – An alert driver is a safer driver, so this Thanksgiving the Florida Turnpike wants you to a have a cup of coffee, or two, on them.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, thousands of drivers will use the Turnpike to get to family or friends for the holiday.  Some will leave very late or very early to get there in time.  To help them stay alert, free coffee will be offered at the highways service plaza's restaurants except Pompano Beach whose restaurants are closed for renovation; coffee will be available at the Shell station. This complimentary pick-me-up will be available from 11 p.m. on Wednesday through 6 a.m. on Thursday. Free coffee will also be available from 11 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27th through 6 a.m. on Monday.

Turnpike officials plan to make the free coffee offer available over the Christmas and New Years holidays as well.

During the heavily traveled Thanksgiving holiday, the State Farm Safety Patrol Road Rangers who offer free roadside assistance to drivers in need will extend their hours of operation during the peak travel periods.

To avoid slow downs on the highway, regularly scheduled construction and maintenance will be suspended from 6 a.m. on Wednesday through 10 p.m. on Monday.

The Florida Highway Patrol reminds all drivers to check their tire pressure before they hit the road and update their SunPass if necessary. Drivers can also call the new statewide 511 travel information system to receive real-time traffic information. 511 provides free travel and traffic information for Florida's Turnpike system roadways, all interstate highways and major metropolitan roadways to residents and visitors.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.