State transportation officials said travel on the West Virginia Turnpike during the 11 days surrounding the July Fourth holiday was down about 6.9 % or 100,000 drivers from the previous year. About 1.35 million drivers traveled the Turnpike this year during the holiday period, according to the state Department of Transportation. This compares to 1.45 million last year. Jeff Miller, executive director of the West Virginia Parkways Authority, said this year’s higher gas prices are part of the reason travel was down this year. The busiest day for the Turnpike this month so far, was Friday, July 1.