Labor Day Travel In WA: How To Avoid Holiday Traffic And Delays

SEATTLE — If you and the family are hitting the roads for the long holiday weekend, you're going to want to plan for a long drive — particularly if you're using a major thoroughfare. More than 1 million Washingtonians traveled for the 4th of July this year, and analysts with AAA say to expect roughly the same number of drivers clogging the road this weekend.

To help travelers avoid the mess, the Washington State Department of Transportation is sharing some tips to help drivers avoid the holiday rush.

"State highways across Washington will see typical heavy holiday weekend traffic, especially on Interstate 90 where lengthy delays are expected," the agency said. "Longer-than typical wait times at ferry docks are also expected most of the holiday weekend."

Here's a look at some of Washington's busiest roadways:

I-90 from North Bend to Cle Elum

Unlike the 4th of July (when I-5 was the busiest freeway) Labor Day's biggest backups will likely be on I-90, with WSDOT predicting some backups "may be worse than ever" through the mountains.

Moderate to heavy traffic is expected to begin Thursday at 9 a.m. and last through most of the day, but Friday is when the nightmare really begins as traffic becomes stop and go eastbound for most of the day.

Midday Saturday will also be stop and go eastbound from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. After that, eastbound traffic will taper off significantly, but if you're returning to the Puget Sound Monday, prepare for long, long backups and wait times.

If you can afford to hold off, Tuesday will be much calmer with moderate traffic even during peak hours. Otherwise, Sunday is an okay option, but will also be stop and go from noon to around 6 p.m. by WSDOT's estimates.

I-5 from Olympia to Tacoma

I-5 may not get as congested as I-90, but the congestion will start sooner, with backups beginning bright and early at 6 a.m. Thursday.

No luck for those heading southbound Thursday either, as analysts expect traffic in both directions around Tacoma.

Friday's traffic forecast is much the same, and even Saturday will have heavy southbound traffic for most of the day between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, if you're returning home northbound on I-5, Labor Day will actually be the best day to do it — though "best" is a relative term as traffic will still be stop and go for most of the day.

US 2 from Skykomish to Stevens Pass

Finally, US 2 will see some backups, though not nearly as heavy as I-5 or I-90. Thursday should remain relatively mild eastbound, but Friday will have stop and go traffic starting around noon.

Saturday will be similar, but the worst of it will be earlier in the day, with the heaviest traffic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Returning home westbound will be a hassle if you chose to do it on Labor Day, with a large build-up expected for most of the day Monday.

Sunday or Tuesday will be much smoother drives, though Sunday will have some heavy traffic from around 4 to 6 p.m. in the region.

Canadian border traffic possible

The Canadian border has only been open to Americans for a few weeks, and even then is only accepting vaccinated visitors. As a result, WSDOT says it cannot confidently predict how much traffic there will be at the border, though just to be safe it's probably best practice to assume there will be at least some backups near Blaine.

Other tips for travel

On top of trying to avoid the most congested traveling times, WSDOT suggests that drivers should:

• Always keep your vehicle at least a quarter full of fuel, in case of emergencies.
• Pre-program vehicle radios to 530 AM and 1610 AM for highway advisory radio alerts.
• Have a backup plan in case your first choice is full.
• Never park along road shoulders.
• Allow for extra travel time to avoid rushing.
• Carry extra food and water, plus extra masks and hand sanitizer.

Related: Labor Day Headaches Ahead For Puget Sound Ferry Travelers