Traffic tips for Thanksgiving travel
Nov 21, 2016, 6:37 AM | Updated: 8:33 am
State highways across Washington will see typical heavy holiday weekend traffic, especially on I-90 where long delays are expected. (WSDOT)
(WSDOT)
State highways across Washington will see typical heavy traffic this Thanksgiving, especially on I-90 where long delays are expected. Check your emergency kit, charge your devices and leave early for your Thanksgiving travel.
Related: The program WSDOT hopes will speed up I-405
Nov. 23 Thanksgiving travel
• Highway 2 eastbound – worst traffic heading east from Stevens Pass to Leavenworth will be around 2 p.m.
• I-90 eastbound – worst traffic heading east from North Bend to Cle Elum will be around noon.
• I-5 northbound – worst traffic heading north from Olympia to Tacoma will be around 6 a.m. but pay attention, you’ll see another spike at 5 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. on this route on Thanksgiving Day.
• I-5 southbound – worst traffic heading south from Tacoma to Olympia, most of the heavy traffic will be around 11 a.m. but expect to see it most of the day between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The pro-tip for pre-Thanksgiving travel is simple; leave early enough so you can be at your destination by 11 a.m.
Let’s look at your expected trip on Nov. 27. Keep in mind, if we have rain or snow or a huge accident these times could increase.
Nov. 27 Thanksgiving travel
• I-90 eastbound – from North Bend to Cle Elum, worst delay will be noon to 2 p.m.
• I-90 westbound – from Cle Elum to North Bend, biggest problem will be noon to 4 p.m.
• Highway 2 eastbound – from Stevens Pass to Leavenworth no backups are expected.
• Highway 2 westbound – worst traffic heading west from Leavenworth to Stevens Pass will be around noon.
• I-5 northbound – worst traffic heading north from Olympia to Tacoma will be around 10 a.m. and last until 7 p.m.
• I-5 southbound – worst traffic heading south between Tacoma to Olympia around noon-1 p.m., you’ll see another spike between 5-6 p.m.
Expect longer-than typical wait times at ferry docks and Canadian border crossings most of the holiday weekend.
2016 travel times are estimated based on 2015 times as tracked by Washington State Department Of Transportation.
