TRAVEL FORECAST & TIPS

I-70 traffic is quite predictable unless affected by weather or accidents. Plan to avoid peak travel times and enjoy a delay-free trip along I-70. Our weekend travel forecast is updated every Thursday afternoon.

Holiday Weekend Travel Forecast: January 17-20

The MLK Holiday will bring lots of folks to the mountains this weekend! The weather will be mild with the exception of snow from Friday night through Saturday. Be prepared for winter travel on Saturday and adequate tires will be a must. The Vail Valley could get some snow Sunday morning. Enjoy the long weekend!

Friday WB – Traffic will cause 10-15 minutes of delay between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. as day-skiers head to the mountains. Traffic volume will also be high from 3:00-7:00 p.m. with approximately 20 minutes additional travel time.

Friday EB – Returning day-skiers will generate traffic congestion between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Last year on this day, there were 20 minutes of delay between Silverthorne and C470.

Saturday WB – Traffic will build quickly starting at 6:00 a.m. and could last as late as Noon. Last year on this date, travelers experienced an hour of extra travel time from C470 to Silverthorne. With snow in the forecast, snowy roads and potential accidents could further slow travel.

Saturday EB – Congestion is likely between 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The forecasted snow could result in additional delays. Last year on this day, roads were also snowy and delays were over 30 minutes from Silverthorne to C470.

Sunday WB – Traffic will be slow from 6:00-10:30 a.m. as day skiers head to the mountains. Expect approximately 45 minutes of delay.

Sunday EB – Traffic will build around Noon and continue until approximately 9:00 p.m. Last year on this day travelers experienced over an hour of additional travel time between Silverthorne and C470.

Monday WB – Traffic will be slow from 6:00-11:30 a.m. Expect approximately 20 minutes of delay.

Monday EB – This will be a big travel day! Traffic will build quickly after 10:00 a.m., peak between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., and abate around 8:00 p.m. Last year on this day, travelers experienced one hour and 20 minutes of additional travel time.

*The GoI70.com Travel Forecast is based on historical data, along with an estimation of how weather, construction, public events and other factors might impact travel.

I-70 DAILY SNOW

Update:

Light snow and very cold air on Monday. Coldest temps of the winter on Monday night and into Tuesday. Warmer and mostly dry Wednesday through Friday. Our next chance for moderate to heavy snowfall arrives during the upcoming weekend, January 25/26.

Read this post at OpenSnow

TIPS FOR I-70 MOUNTAIN TRAVEL

Avoid the Peak Travel Times. If heading eastbound on Saturday or Sunday, plan to leave the mountains after 7:00 p.m. Check the weekend and holiday Travel Forecast.
Check the road and traffic conditions before you travel.
Check out the Peak Time Deals local businesses offer to help you avoid peak travel times.
Spend a Sunday night in the mountains and head to work or school early Monday morning.
Prepare for I-70 mountain driving conditions. Know the Colorado Traction Law.
Create or join a carpool with the TreadShare App.
Consider taking a bus, train, van to the mountains and leave the driving to someone else.

IMPORTANT INFO TO KNOW

Weather, Road Conditions & Accidents are impossible to predict and can escalate the level and duration of delays dramatically. Check CDOT’s CoTrip.org before you travel.

Colorado’s Traction Law is in effect Sept 1-May 31, regardless of current weather conditions. Learn if your tires meet the Traction Law specifications here.

The Mountain Express Lanes are open on the weekends and holidays to provide a faster and more reliable travel time between Denver and the mountains. Get the Express Toll pass to pay the posted toll rate. Those without a pass will be billed the posted rate plus a service charge. Order the pass at ExpressToll.com.

Holiday Weekends – When a national holiday falls on a Monday, you can count on Monday afternoon eastbound traffic similar to a typical Sunday pattern, but with higher volume.

Metering – Traffic metering goes into effect during very high-volume times at the Eisenhower Johnson Tunnel on the eastbound approach. Metering controls the flow of traffic eastbound towards the Eisenhower Tunnel so traffic does not back up in the tunnel, causing potential safety issues.

TYPICAL WINTER TRAFFIC PATTERNS

(October-April. Based on historical data.)

With just a bit of planning, travelers can enjoy More Mountains, Less Traffic. Below is the typical winter weekend traffic pattern. The heaviest volumes on the I-70 mountain corridor occur around the holidays and on weekends in January and February, but plan for weekend traffic during the entire ski season. Check the detailed weekend Travel Forecast at the top of this page, posted each Thursday.

Friday Westbound – Traffic volumes are moderate from approximately 2:00-7:00 p.m. with congestion the most likely to occur in the Floyd Hill area.

Friday Eastbound – A relatively new occurrence, as more day-trippers ski on Friday, there is often slowing 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Saturday Westbound – To beat the traffic, plan to leave the Front Range by 6:00 a.m. Traffic is consistently at its highest between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., resulting in up to one hour of additional travel time. Speeds return to normal soon after Noon.

Saturday Eastbound – Saturday eastbound traffic tends to be lower in volume than Sunday. Avoid the 2:00-5:00 p.m. timeframe.

Sunday Westbound – Traffic is less of an issue westbound on Sunday mornings but delays are possible in the 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. timeframe.

Sunday Eastbound – I-70 traffic starts to build as early as 11:30 a.m. The peak of the traffic occurs between 3:00-6:00 and drops off soon after 8:00 pm. Expect heavy traffic. To avoid the jam, stay in the mountains for dinner, or spend Sunday night and head back to work or school Monday morning. GoI70.com Peak time Deals provide incentives to avoid peak travel times.