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: March 6th-8th
I-70 DAILY SNOW
Friday’s weather will be stormy with significant snow accumulation occurring. Full-on winter weather is to be expected all day. Please consider delaying travel Friday until after 8:00 to allow for the clearing of the roads of both snow and accidents.
Additionally, because of the large storm, we anticipate numerous skiers and riders to take advantage of the powder. This may increase travel times slightly from our data-driven forecast as more traffic equals more congestion.
To avoid the peak travel times, check out the weekend travel forecast below!
Friday WB – The following forecast for Friday is based on previous years data and will NOT reflect the storm we expect in the high country. All bets are off.
Traffic will start to build around 7:00 am and subside by 11:00 am. Peak delays between 20-30 minutes can be expected at the peak. Later in the day a second wave of traffic from 3:00-6:00 pm will occur, with delays again in the 20-30 minute range. Snowfall should subside by 8:00.
Friday EB – Between 3:00-7:00 traffic will slow with delays up to 30 minutes expected. Please see weather-related notes as a disclaimer.
Saturday WB – Traffic will build between 5:00 am-9:00 am, with the peak delays of up to 1 hour minutes occurring between 6:00-9:00 am.
Saturday EB – Delays of up 30 minutes occur between 2:00-6:00 pm with the peak of these delays being between 3:00-5:00 pm.
Sunday WB – Minimal delays between 5:00-8:00 am of 10 minutes or less can be expected.
Sunday EB – Minimal delays of less than 20 minutes can be expected between 2:00 – 6:00 pm.
*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
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Update:
We will remain under mild and mostly dry conditions for the foreseeable future. We could get brushed by light snow on Tuesday night and maybe again around March 16. Spring skiing is the name of the game until something shows up in the longer-range models.
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.
