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Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner and people need to plan for a busy weekend of travel – by road, train, plane or boat.
Often seen as an unseasonal start to summer, Memorial Day weekend means increased travel and congestion on most major highways, so travelers are encouraged to be patient. Regardless of their travel plans, Washington State Department of Transportation travel charts are available to help people plan ahead and get the most out of the weekend.
Interstate 5 US-Canada border travel schedules will return this year after a multi-year hiatus due to pandemic-related uncertainty over travel times. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is no longer required to enter Canada. Please note that the I-5 average traffic volumes represent 2019 pre-Covid outbreak volumes on routes from Olympia to Tacoma and Bellingham to the border. Average traffic volumes for both I-90 and US 2 lanes represent 2022 volumes. Representations of all three routes are illustrated on the travel charts.
WSDOT encourages travelers to “know before they go,” and follow these tips when traveling within the city or across the state:
- Find information about WSDOT’s online tools, including the WSDOT mobile app, traffic cameras and email alerts.
- Visit online travel information for traffic, weather, ferry schedules and real-time travel maps.
- Follow WSDOT’s social media accounts, such as several Twitter accounts and the agency’s Facebook page.
- Tune your vehicle radio to 530 AM and 1610 AM for highway advisory radio alerts – and be alert for other stations listed on signs in some areas.
- Have a backup foreign destination in case your first choice is full or unavailable. If parking spaces are full, find an alternate location and never park on road shoulders, as this is unsafe for everyone on the road, including emergency responders.
- Allow extra time for travel so you don’t feel rushed or distracted.
- Carry extra food and water as an extra precaution for emergencies or unexpected stops.
Weekend traffic is expected to resume as early as Friday, May 26 morning on key highways including I-5 and I-90 and Thursday, May 25 throughout Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands for ferry service. Breakdowns or emergency operations may add to delays during peak periods.
Most of the state’s highway construction work has been suspended over the holiday weekend – from Friday May 26 to Monday May 29 – to ease congestion. Please stay in place for new lane shifts or work zone setups. And please allow plenty of room for any emergency maintenance personnel to work safely.
Snoqualmie Pass
No construction or road closures are planned on I-90 from Friday, May 26 through Tuesday, May 30. But the usual holiday traffic increase means commuters should expect eastbound delays from Friday, May 26, and westbound on Monday, May 29 (see charts for more details). Receive text message alerts about significant delays by texting “WSDOT Snoqualmie” to 468311.
Chinook and Cayuse passed
Both State Route 123/Cayuse Pass and SR 410 Chinook Pass remain closed due to bad roads and weather. A reopening date has not been set, although crews typically reopen both lanes around Memorial Day weekend each year. Travelers can check Chinook Pass and Cayuse Pass online reports for updates on reopening status.
Tolling
In Puget Sound, weekend tolls will be in effect Friday through Monday, May 26-29, on the State Route 520 bridge and SR 99 tunnel. The I-405 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers on weekends and holiday Mondays.
Boat trip
People who board a government ferry with a vehicle should be prepared to wait for a long time. Peak travel times on most routes are expected to be westbound from Thursday to Saturday, May 25-27 and eastbound from Saturday to Monday, May 27-29. By traveling as a passenger, customers can bypass vehicle lanes.
- All drivers should double check shipping schedules as some routes will operate on a different schedule prior to the outbreak.
- Visit the Washington State Ferries website for more information about vehicle reservations, driver alerts and checking inspection conditions.
Trains, airports and transportation
Travelers traveling by train, private plane or bus should also plan ahead to avoid holiday delays:
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- Amtrak Cascades passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and plan to arrive at the station one hour prior to departure. Trains run between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon, stopping at 18 stations along the way. Buses are also available to travel between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia and between Seattle and Bellingham. Visit www.AmtrakCascades.com/ or call 800-USA-RAIL for tickets and schedules. Masks are encouraged, but not required on all trains and buses. Visit www.amtrakcascades.com/ or call 800-USA-RAIL for tickets.
- For information about traveling through state-supported airports, visit wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/airports-list or call 360-788-7437.
- Check with local public transit agencies for any holiday schedule or service changes, including some Dial-A-Ride and fixed line services that do not operate on holidays.
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