Plan ahead for congested roads, busy long holiday weekend

The holiday weekend is here and people are expected to hit the roads ahead of the Fourth of July.

AAA Washington estimates around one million people will hit the roads for the holiday, so plan ahead.

Starting Friday, the Washington State Department of Transportation expects roads to be congested. The department suggests avoiding US 2 eastbound from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., I-90 eastbound from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and I-5 south from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Some are headed out today for the long holiday weekend. Here are the best times to go! pic.twitter.com/ZYUNJLi81t

— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) July 1, 2021

If you are leaving this afternoon for the holiday weekend, better get going! pic.twitter.com/XdlVyVHmGT

— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) July 1, 2021

If you are leaving tomorrow for the long holiday weekend. Here are the best times to go on I-5, Hwy 2 and I-90 pic.twitter.com/GGGa2QOfVc

— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) July 1, 2021

While the roads are busy this weekend and through the summer, troopers along the West Coast are teaming up to make sure people stay safe on the roads, specifically on I-5, with a campaign called “I-5 Alive.”

Conducted by the Washington State Patrol, Oregon State Police, and the California Highway Patrol, they will be focused on speeding drivers, distracted drivers, impaired drivers, and anyone failing to use seat belts and child safety seats.

“We ask everyone to slow down, to pack a little patience, to put down the cell phones, to move over for flashing lights and road crews, to buckle up, to secure the child safety seats, to tie down the cooler and grill, and to never, ever drive impaired on I-5 or any of our beautiful state’s roadways,” reads a release from the state patrol.

The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.

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