Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in Colorado – and that means more people heading to the mountains for camping, hiking, biking, rafting, festivals and a much-needed long weekend.
If your plans include traveling the I-70 Mountain Corridor, a little planning can go a long way. Holiday weekends bring predictable congestion, especially as travelers leave the Front Range for the mountains and return home at the same time. The good news? With the right timing and a few smart travel tools, you can spend more time enjoying the mountains and less time sitting in traffic.
Here’s how to plan ahead for Memorial Day weekend travel on I-70.
Know When to Go
For Memorial Day weekend, expect the heaviest westbound I-70 travel to the mountains Friday afternoon and evening, and again Saturday morning. For the return trip, plan for heavy eastbound I-70 traffic mid-day Monday.
If your schedule is flexible, consider traveling outside the peak times, such as:
Heading to the mountains on westbound I-70: Leave early Friday, later Friday evening or after the Saturday morning rush.
Heading back to the Denver metro area on eastbound I-70: Consider leaving the mountains before the midday rush on Monday, staying later for dinner and heading home after the peak, or extending your trip and returning Tuesday morning.
Before you go, check the GoI70 Travel Forecast, which is updated every Thursday morning to help travelers plan around the busiest times.
Check Conditions Before You Leave
Even in late May, mountain travel can be unpredictable. Spring storms, rain, hail, high winds, rockfall and crashes can all affect travel times on I-70.
Before you get in the car, check:
- COtrip.org for real-time road conditions, closures, cameras and travel alerts
- GoI70.com/travel for the weekend and holiday travel forecast
- Weather conditions along your full route – not just your trip origin
Consider Leaving the Driving to Someone Else
If you want to skip the stress of holiday traffic, consider using transit. You can take regional transit to get there and then local transit to get around once you arrive.
Options include:
- Bustang West Line, with service between Denver and mountain communities along I-70
- Pegasus CDOT’s shuttle van service between Denver and Avon, with stops including Idaho Springs, Frisco, Vail and Avon
- Local transit connections in mountain communities once you arrive – available at GoI70.com/transit
Transit lets you read, nap, scroll or simply relax while someone else handles the mountain driving.
Pack for More Than the Plan
Memorial Day weekend often feels like the start of summer, but mountain travel still requires preparation. Bring the basics for a safe and comfortable trip:
- Water and snacks
- Sunscreen and layers
- A full tank of gas or full EV charge
- Phone charger or power bank
- Any needed medications
- Patience for holiday traffic and construction zones
Be Ready for Summer Construction
Summer is also construction season on the I-70 Mountain Corridor. CDOT has several active projects along the corridor in 2026, including major work at Floyd Hill, West Vail Pass, Glenwood Canyon and other locations between the Front Range and the Western Slope. Travelers should expect changing traffic patterns, narrowed lanes and reduced speeds.
The best way to stay informed on construction impacts is to check COtrip.org before leaving and pay attention to posted signs, speed limits and construction crews along the way.
More Mountains, Less Traffic
Memorial Day weekend is a great time to reconnect with Colorado’s mountains – but you will not be the only one with that idea. Plan your departure time, check conditions before you leave, consider transit or carpooling, and give yourself extra time.
With a little preparation, you can enjoy more mountains and less traffic this Memorial Day weekend.