Latest news with #SkylerMcKinley
CBS News
02-07-2025
- CBS News
These are the best times to travel to avoid heavy Fourth of July traffic in Colorado
These are the best time to travel to avoid heavy traffic in Colorado These are the best time to travel to avoid heavy traffic in Colorado These are the best time to travel to avoid heavy traffic in Colorado More than 72 million Americans will be traveling to their destinations for the 4th of July. AAA says Denver is ranked number seven for travel, so expect traffic if you leave on Wednesday. I-70 will be one of the busiest travel highways in the state. If possible, AAA recommends leaving on Thursday because they say there won't be as much traffic on the highways. If you do have to leave on Wednesday, it is recommended to leave during the early morning hours or the late evening hours. Drivers will see traffic, but will not be stuck in it as long. Afternoon traffic of Pena Blvd. to Denver International Airport near ramp of Airport Blvd. in Denver, Colorado Hyoung Chang/TheAAA says to check your vehicle before any big road trip. The top three calls they receive include flat tires, dead batteries, and people locking their keys in their cars. These are all situations that can be prevented, especially on busy highways like I-70 and I-25, where you don't want to be stranded. "The summer is where people head westward or they head into the great wide open," said Skyler McKinley, Regional Director of Public Affairs for AAA. "Denver is the perfect launching point for that. People might fly into Denver and even use Rent-A-Car to join Coloradoans like us on I-70 and I-25. They will be part of the traffic that we are a part of and head off to their destinations where they stimulate the high-country economy." Always remember to fill up your vehicle before heading on a big road trip. You don't want to run out of gas on the way there. CBS As you hit the road, don't forget the express lane basics. Cross the line, pay the fine. Pay attention to roadway signage warning of upcoming entrances and exits.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Colorado drivers expected to take advantage of lower gas prices this holiday weekend
The very busy Fourth of July holiday is approaching, and 72 million Americans are expected to drive across the United States, including here in Colorado, where people typically head to the mountains. Regional Director of Public Affairs for AAA, Skyler McKinley, says getting gas now will be cheaper for your wallet than waiting for the weekend. Tuesday is the best time, as millions of people will be planning to fill up on Wednesday. This gives drivers a money-saving option, and there won't be as much traffic at the pump. AAA says across the state, gas prices average $3.20/gallon. This is better than this time last year, when the average price was $3.34/gallon. AAA says never wait until the last minute or your car is close to empty to get gas. CBS Most of their calls are from stranded drivers who run out of gas. It's recommended to fill up your tank when you hit half. Anything less than that will put wear and tear on your vehicle, especially the engine. Places like Costco and Sam's Club offer good gas perks, but for everyone else, it's recommended to go to the gas station closest to your home. "Generally speaking, you are going to get the best deals on service stations that are tucked into a neighborhood. If you have a service station that is by your house that is not next to a major highway or a major thoroughfare, genuinely, they are going to be priced appropriately. Remember, gas is a very low margin game," said McKinley. Remember to check your tires and batteries before any big road trip. You don't want to cause more traffic by breaking down in the middle of a highway. CBS As you hit the road, don't forget the express lane basics. Cross the line, pay the fine. Pay attention to roadway signage warning of upcoming entrances and exits.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How to deal with potholes in Colorado
MORRISON, Colo. (KDVR) — A major pothole on eastbound Interstate 70 near the Morrison exit brought traffic to a halt on Friday and left several drivers dealing with unexpected car damage. Denver bar announces final day of business after nearly 30 years The Colorado Department of Transportation said the pothole formed rapidly around 7:30 a.m. during heavy rain. It opened up on a section of bridge deck that's already under construction as part of a larger resurfacing project. 'A large pothole quickly formed in a span of 20 to 30 minutes… CDOT crews immediately responded with lane closures, and contractor crews will work through the afternoon to make sustainable repairs,' the department said in a statement. Two eastbound lanes near the Morrison exit were closed while crews scrambled to patch the damage. By Friday evening, one lane had reopened. Skyler McKinley with AAA said while potholes are a part of life on Colorado roads, this one was unusually disruptive. 'This is a factor of life, we do get bad potholes in Colorado, it's rare that we have a catastrophic one,' McKinley said. 'The catastrophic ones are fixed quickly because everyone's going to be watching this on the news—including the folks in charge of repairing the potholes.' Multiple FOX31 viewers reported damage to their vehicles after hitting the pothole. McKinley said even a brief jolt from a pothole can have lasting impacts, and warns drivers to stay alert for subtle changes in their car's performance. 'Potholes and hitting potholes can cause irreparable suspension damage,' McKinley said. 'So if you notice anything in your vehicle—steering, vibrating, sounds you weren't used to, delayed steering, gumminess, tackiness, anything has changed in your driving experience? In the hours, days, weeks after you hit a pothole, take that to a mechanic as soon as you can.' He added that quick action is key when it comes to insurance claims and repair timelines. 'If you hit a pothole and you know something is wrong, go to your mechanic and call your insurer immediately thereafter,' McKinley said. 'And if you haven't hit a Colorado pothole yet—we get them bad because of the thawing and freezing on our roadway—consider upgrading your insurance.' According to AAA, the average out-of-pocket repair bill for pothole-related damage can top $500, depending on the severity. Over 800 flights delayed amid storms on Friday, 24 canceled CDOT reminds drivers to slow down in work zones and report roadway hazards when possible. The agency said construction on that stretch of I-70 typically takes place overnight, and as of Friday night, one lane is back open. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
22-05-2025
- Axios
"Pack your patience:" Record Memorial Day madness hits Colorado
This summer's travel season is about to take off, with Colorado once again on pace to smash Memorial Day records, AAA Colorado spokesperson Skyler McKinley tells Axios Denver. Why it matters: Coloradans aren't staying home even as economic pessimism persists. By the numbers: Denver International Airport officials say more than 443,000 travelers are expected to pass through security over the long weekend — matching last year's historic surge. Friday and Monday will be particularly packed, with upwards of 80,000 passengers daily. The big picture: More than 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday — topping a 20-year record, AAA data shows. The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing for its busiest summer in 15 years. Nearly 54,000 flights are expected to take off nationwide on Thursday alone. An estimated 87% of travelers nationwide — or about 39 million people — are choosing to hit the road this year. Between the lines: More travelers opting to drive could be a sign of lingering distrust in air travel following a recent string of alarming tech and safety lapses at airports nationwide, including DIA. Still, FAA acting administrator Chris Rocheleau insists air travel is "the safest form of transportation in world history." The intrigue: Road trippers in Colorado will catch a break at the pump this year, McKinley tells Axios Denver. Average Colorado gas prices are hovering around $3.58 per gallon, down from $3.71 this time last year. Pro tips: "The further you can get away from the highways when you're filling up your vehicle, the more you will save," McKinley advises. The worst days to drive will be Thursday and Monday, especially on the I-70 corridor, he says. To avoid gridlock, travel early in the day — or better yet, leave Saturday or Sunday.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Colorado average gas price of $3.55/gallon is expected to rise Memorial Day weekend
The busy Memorial Day travel period is ramping up across Colorado, with Thursday being the start of the four-day stretch for the holiday weekend. Millions are expected to hit the road for the unofficial start of summer, and CBS Colorado wants to help you get Road Trip Ready. AAA Colorado says there is good news for drivers filling up on Thursday. Getting as will be cheaper for your wallet than waiting for the weekend. The spike will be around Memorial Day weekend and will last until Labor Day. / Getty Images AAA Colorado said across Colorado, the average price for gas is $3.55 a gallon. A little better than this time last year, when the average price for gas was $3.72/gallon. AAA Colorado says it is better to get gas now than wait because most of their calls come from stranded drivers. These are from drivers who don't put gas in their cars before taking big trips. It is always important to fill up your tank when you hit half a tank. Anything less than that will put wear and tear on your vehicle, especially the engine. Never let your car get down to empty. "It is a problem whenever your vehicle runs out of gas," said Skyler McKinley, AAA Regional Director of Public Affairs. "It is a problem for the thousands of drivers that we have to rescue when they run out of gas. You don't want to wait until the next service station or wait for a better deal. It can do some damage to your fuel pump and cause problems in the lines." Also, AAA says don't drive across town to go to the cheaper gas station. Use the one closest to you. You will still pay around the same amount, if not more. As you hit the road, don't forget the express lane basics. Cross the line and pay the fine. Pay attention to roadway signage warnings of upcoming entrances and exits.
