WASHINGTON, USA — If you are traveling this Fourth of July weekend you should probably pick up a good playlist, download an audiobook or prepare a good family game as heavy traffic and congestion are expected for most of the weekend.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) released travel graphics Monday of three state highways that are expected to see more traffic than usual, so drivers can prepare for their trip and see which hours are best to hit the road.
The travel charts for this year are Interstate 5 between Lacey and Tacoma, US 2 between Stevens Pass and Skykomish and Interstate 90 between North Bend and Cle Elum.
For those who are going on a weekend trip, generally, the best day to leave is Thursday and before sunrise, but each day and each interstate has its own hours of when it's best to travel.
Lacey to Tacoma
Those who are driving between Lacey and Tacoma on I-5 should expect significant traffic every day, with congestion expected almost every day, both south and northbound.
For northbound travelers, Thursday is expected to have congestion for much of the day before 6 p.m. The best times to travel during daylight hours are at 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m., although moderate to heavy traffic is still expected. Traffic should be slight after 10 p.m. For southbound travelers, traffic is expected to be jammed at 7 a.m., as well as between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
July 6, is also expected for I-5 to be congested for most of the day. Traffic will be moderate to heavy before 6 a.m. and after 7 p.m. but it will be most congested in between those hours. Traffic is anticipated to only be light before 5 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
I-5 from Lacey to Tacoma traffic for the Fourth of July
For Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the best times to beat traffic are before 8 a.m. as traffic is expected for the rest of the day. For all three days, congestion and heavy traffic are expected around 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. with moderate to heavy traffic anticipated for the rest of the day.
For southbound travelers, July 4 has the least amount of traffic of all weekend days, with traffic being light before 9 a.m. and after 8 p.m., although moderate to heavy traffic is anticipated between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., and then again at 11 p.m.
For Tuesday the interstate is expected to reach capacity for most of the day. Unless traveling during non-daylight hours, congestion and heavy traffic are expected, with hours between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. being the worst for northbound travelers and 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. for southbound drivers.
Stevens Pass and Skykomish
For those who are traveling on US 2 for the weekend the best day to do so would be on Thursday, as traffic is not expected, except for those traveling eastbound, which will see moderate traffic between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
For those going eastbound, Friday and Saturday will be the heaviest days of traffic, with congestion expected between 9 a.m. and around 5 p.m; Sunday is also expecting heavy traffic between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with the worst hour being 11 a.m. But expect light traffic the rest of the day.
There is little change to be expected in traffic for Monday and Tuesday, although moderate to heavy traffic is expected between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
US 2 Skykomish to Stevens Pass traffic for the Fourth of July
For westbound travelers, Thursday and Friday will have no traffic or regular traffic all day, but it will pick up on Saturday when moderate to heavy traffic is anticipated between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Sunday and Monday however will have heavy traffic, especially between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. with congestion predicted early evening Sunday and midday Monday.
Tuesday will have traffic between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., with noon being the worst hour.
North Bend to Cle Elum
For those using I-90 from North Bend to Cle Elum, Thursday will probably be the best day to start your weekend trip, as there is no congestion predicted, unlike on Friday and Saturday. Moderate to heavy traffic is still expected between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday, but the rest of the day should have normal traffic.
On Friday, moderate to heavy traffic is expected between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Those traveling eastbound should avoid traveling between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. as jams are expected.
For those planning to start their trip on Saturday, it is best to do it before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Westbound drivers will have less traffic, although some is expected between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
I-90 North Bend to Cle Elum traffic for the Fourth of July
For those who are traveling eastbound, there is no congestion expected between Sunday and Tuesday, but heavy traffic is expected between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., except for Monday which is only predicted to have traffic between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Traveling westbound between Sunday and Tuesday will have significantly more traffic, with the worst hours being between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Drivers should avoid the road between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. as jams are expected.