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 morning and is based on past years traffic history, weather modeling, and CDOT advisories. Unless otherwise noted, this forecast encompasses Golden through Vail.
Weekend Travel Forecast: February 13th - February 16th.
I-70 DAILY SNOW
Happy President’s Day/Valentine’s Day Weekend! Enjoy the three day weekend and fresh snow that is coming down now! This is one of the busiest weekends of the year and could be even more congested as folks take advantage of that rare “snow event” this year.
The weekend weather will be stormy throughout Friday, but will clear up throughout the rest of the weekend and hold until Monday evening.
To avoid the peak travel times, check out the weekend travel forecast below!
Friday WB – Traffic will start to build around 7:00 am and subside by 11:00 am Peak delays of up to one hour can be expected between 8:00-10:00 a.m. There will be another afternoon wave of delays between 3:00-6:00 pm of 30 minutes to one hour.
Friday EB – Delays up to an hour and a half were experienced in two of the last three years between 2:00-8:00 pm with the peak of these delays between 3:00-6:00 pm.
Saturday WB – Delays of 60 minutes were experienced this weekend in 2023 and 2024. Last year delays were up to two hours. Traffic will build between 1:00-10:00 pm, with the peak delays being between 3:00-9:00 pm.
Saturday EB – Delays of up to an hour occur between 4:00-7:00 pm with the peak of these delays 5:00 pm.
Sunday WB – Expect delays between 60-90 minutes between 5:00-10:00 am with the peak congestion being between 6:00-8:00 am.
Sunday EB – Congestion will occur between 11:00-9:00 pm, with delays between one-two hours. Peak delays will be between 3:00-7:00 pm.
Monday WB – Minor delays of 15 minutes can be expected from 6:00-10:00 am.
Monday EB – Minor delays of 15 minutes can be expected from 2:00-8:00 pm assuming the weather holds.
*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
Powered by
Update:
Dry on Friday morning, followed by a quick round of snow on Friday night. Mild and dry from Saturday through Monday. More snow Tuesday, Wednesday, and into Friday. Additional chances for snow through February 26.
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.
- 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
With just a bit of planning, travelers can enjoy More Mountains, Less Traffic. 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. Below is additional information to know prior to your travels:
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.
