Traveling to Colorado’s high country? Could be the “first truly busy weekend of the season,” CDOT says
Traveling to Colorado’s high country? Could be the “first truly busy weekend of the season,” CDOT says
(COLORADO) — Traveling to the high country this weekend? Well, pack your patience, because many other drivers probably have the same idea, in what the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) foresees as the “first truly busy weekend of the season.”
Two factors are playing into the influx of travelers to the mountains this weekend, including the recent snowfall to the high country beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 7, through Friday, Jan. 9, and, yes, you guessed it—the Broncos are on a bye, opening up more weekend travel, according to CDOT.
Drivers should expect heavy traffic through Sunday, Jan. 11.
“Heavy westbound traffic is likely on Friday after the workday, with Saturday morning congestion at Floyd Hill expected by 6 to 6:30 a.m.,” warned CDOT. “Strong day-trip traffic is anticipated on Saturday, and on Sunday, tunnel volumes may be high enough by midday to require metering.”
Drivers can check the latest road conditions at COtrip.org or through the #COtrip Planner app before hitting the roads to plan travel times accordingly.
CDOT also shared traffic maps from last year at the same time when Colorado’s high country also received heavy snow. Click through the slideshow below to see which times and days traffic to the mountains saw the most delays.
CDOT traffic heat maps: Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 – Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025
Courtesy: CDOT
Courtesy: CDOT
Courtesy: CDOT
Courtesy: CDOT
Courtesy: CDOT
Courtesy: CDOT
Courtesy: CDOT
“Heat maps showed a strong Friday late afternoon surge, with Floyd Hill delays peaking around 4 p.m. Widespread snow on Saturday slowed travel across the corridor, and chain laws plus difficult grades pushed traffic high enough to require over five hours of metering at the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels,” wrote CDOT about the traffic maps from 2025.
For more winter travel tips or information on chain and traction laws, visit COtrip.org.
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