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 20th-22nd
I-70 DAILY SNOW
Travel weather for the weekend will feel more like a summer weekend. Record high temperatures expected. Highs will be in the 60’s. Spring break traffic will spread traffic away from the weekend and into the weekdays for the most part.
To avoid the peak travel times, check out the weekend travel forecast below!
Friday WB –
Traffic will increase from 6:00-9:00 am, with minimal delays of up to 15 minutes.
Friday EB – Between 3:00-7:00 traffic will slow with minimal delays expected.
Saturday WB – Traffic will build between 5:00 am-9:00 am, with the peak delays of up to 30 minutes occurring between 6:00-8:00 am.
Saturday EB – Congestion will increase between 4:00-8:00 pm with the peak of these delays being 10-20 minutes.
Sunday WB – Traffic will build between 6:00 am-9:00 am, with the peak delays of up to 30 minutes occurring between 7:00-8:30 am.
Sunday EB – Traffic delays can be expected between 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. The peak delays will be up to an hour and occur between 2:00-5:00 pm. Additionally, there will be a single lane closure on Lookout Mountain (Exit 256) to Morrison (Exit 259) from 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 22 to 6 a.m. on Monday, March 23. The lane closure should not impact travel times.
*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:
Sunny skies and record warmth from Wednesday through Sunday. Slightly cooler temperatures, increasing cloud coverage, and maybe a few high-elevation flakes during the week of March 23. Trying to stay optimistic that we'll receive another significant storm cycle in early April.
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.
