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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 Travel Forecast: December 6-8

Plan for a sunny weekend until snow moves in Sunday evening. Gusty winds are also forecasted for Sunday. Typical weekend travel patterns are anticipated and below are the timeframes to avoid!

Friday WB – Traffic volume will be moderate 3:30-6:00 p.m. but only minor delays are expected.

Friday EB – Delays are unlikely.

Saturday WB – There will be moderate traffic congestion between 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. with approximately 10 minutes extra travel time from C470 to Silverthorne.

Saturday EB – Slow travel is possible between 2:00 and 6:30 p.m. with 10 minutes of extra travel time. 

Sunday WB – Traffic might be slow from  7:00-11:00 a.m. as day skiers head to the mountains.

Sunday EB –Traffic will build around Noon and continue until approximately 6:30 p.m. Delays of approximately 30 minutes are possible between Silverthorne and C470.

*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

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Update:

Dry and windy on Sunday. Snow on Monday as a cold front slides through Colorado. Very cold on Tuesday. Dry Wednesday through Friday. Multiple chances for snow from December 14 through the week of December 16.

Read this post at OpenSnow

TIPS FOR I-70 MOUNTAIN TRAVEL

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.

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 potentially more 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.

Your Peak Time Deal is under review. You will receive an email when approved.