Holiday travelers will be able to take a coffee break at interstate rest areas over the July 4 weekend in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

 Free coffee will be available — at various times and locations — on four days this year throughout Independence Day weekend.

Community groups will be serving up free coffee at rest areas along Interstates 80, 81 and 84. The program, which is coordinated through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), is designed to encourage drivers to stop and take a break for safety’s sake during the busy holiday travel period.

The safety coffee breaks will be conducted at the following rest areas:

INTERSTATE 80:

• Eastbound, at White Haven, Luzerne County between the Mountain Top/ Hazleton Exit 262 and the White Haven/ Freeland Exit 273. Conyngham United Methodist Church Sunday School will serve coffee on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the Conyngham United Methodist Church Bell Choir will serve free coffee on Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

INTERSTATE 81:

•  Northbound at Dorrance, Luzerne County between the Dorrance Exit 155 and the Nuangola Exit 159. Crestwood Cheerleaders will host the free coffee service on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the Black Creek United Methodist Church will do the honors on Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Southbound at Nuangola, Luzerne County between the Nuangola Exit 159 and the Dorrance Exit 155. Members of the Boy Scout Troop 106 will offer free coffee on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while Hazleton Area High School Band Boosters will be there Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Northbound at Tompkinsville, Lackawanna County between the Fleetville/ Tompkinsville Exit 202 and the Glenwood/ Lenoxville Exit 206. Daleville United Methodist Youth Fellowship will be on hand to serve free coffee Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m., while Abington Lions Club will be there Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Southbound at Lenox, Lackawanna County between the Lenox Exit 211 and the Glenwood/ Lenoxville Exit 206. Boy Scout Troop 16 will be there Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, for 24 hours each day. On Sunday, United Way of Susquehanna County will be there Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WELCOME CENTERS

INTERSTATE 81:

• Southbound at Great Bend, Susquehanna County, between the New York State line and the Great Bend Exit 230. Faith Mountain Christian Academy will serve free coffee on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. TOPS 436 will host Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

INTERSTATE 84:

• Matamoras, Exit 53 at the New York State Line. Boys Scout Troop 84 will host Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Please take note: While times are listed, the hours of operation may vary among the organizations for a variety of reasons. For example, groups will leave when their supplies are exhausted.

Non-profit organizations interested in applying for a safety coffee break in Northeastern Pennsylvania can contact PennDOT’s Roadside Specialist Bill Fives at 570-963-4016 or e-mail: wfives@state.pa.us   There are still openings at various locations for two other upcoming holiday weekends: Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

More safety information may be obtained by checking out www.neparoads.com PennDOT's Northeastern Pennsylvania transportation website. For more safety tips, click on “Safety.”