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: January 23rd - 25th.
Snow is in the forecast and will arrive on Friday mid-day. Things will really get cranking throughout Friday evening, through Saturday day, and possibly linger through Saturday evening and into the Sunday morning early hours.
Snowfall will be heavy at times and WILL create significant traveling delays. The possibility for accidents and extended shutdowns are exceptional. Being one of the first big storm of the season, a huge amount of ski traffic will add to the congestion. Any unnecessary travel should be avoided.
To avoid the peak travel times, check out the weekend travel forecast below!
Friday WB – Traffic will start to build around 9:00 a.m. and subside by 7:00 p.m. Peak delays of up to two hours can be expected between 12:00-5:00 pm assuming no weather-related shutdowns or accidents.
Saturday WB – Delays of 60 minutes were experienced this weekend in the last three years. Plan on at least double that time this year with weather and the powder skiing/riding excitement. Traffic will build between 5:00-8:00 am, with the peak delays being between 6:00-10:00 am.
Saturday EB – Without weather considerations, delays between 60-90 minutes can be expected between 2:00-8:00 pm with the peak of these delays between 3:00-6:00 pm. These times will be heavily dependent on if snow is still accumulating throughout the afternoon, and significant delays will be experienced throughout the day.
Sunday WB – Expect delays between 60-90 minutes between 6:00-10:00 am with the peak congestion being between 7:00-8:00 am. Weather-related delays should lessen as this storm winds down.
Sunday EB – Congestion will occur between 2:00-8:00 pm, with delays between 60-90 minutes. Peak delays will be between 3:00-7:00 pm. Consider getting off the slopes early or enjoying a late dinner before heading back.
*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
I-70 DAILY SNOW
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Update:
Sunny on Monday and Tuesday. Clouds and light snow showers later this week. Mild and mostly dry weather continues as we flip the calendar into early February. Watching and waiting for a significant pattern shift in the middle of February.
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
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.
