WSDOT Travel advice for the weekend

WSDOT Paint Map for August 28-31

Labor Day weekend will bring lots of travel and congestion to state highways, waterways, at state airports and along pedestrian trails.

We urge travelers to plan ahead, stay alert and give themselves extra time to get to their destinations. Our Labor Day weekend travel charts have dropped to help people beat the rush as well as other tools and tips to make all types of travel easier.

The charts highlight the best and worst times to travel on key state highways most prone to holiday congestion, including: 

• US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass
• Interstate 90 between North Bend and Cle Elum 
• I-5 between Lacey and Tacoma 
• I-5 between Bellingham and the Canadian border 

Whether traveling across town or across the state, we encourage travelers to “know before you go” by following these tips: 

• Get informed about our online tools, including the our mobile app, traffic cameras and email alerts.
• Visit online traveler information for traffic, weather, ferry schedules and a real-time travel map.
• Follow us on social media including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky and X.
• Identify potential safety rest areas before heading out, to ensure enough breaks to avoid drowsy driving. 
• Have a backup outdoor destination in mind, as parks and other outdoor recreation sites tend to fill up quickly on holiday weekends. If a site’s parking lot is full, never park along road shoulders – this is unsafe for everyone on the roadway, including emergency responders.

Most highway construction paused 
Most highway construction will pause to help ease congestion starting Friday, Sept. 4, but delays are still likely – especially in popular areas or due to crashes or wildfires. The Revive I-5 work zone over the Ship Canal Bridge remains in place. 

Stay alert to fire danger
Fire danger remains high across the state. If traveling near active wildfires, stay alert and up to date on closures as winds can shift quickly. These tips can help prevent roadside fires: 

• Never throw a lit cigarette or any other flammable material out of vehicle windows. 
• Keep towing chains from dragging on pavement to avoid sparks.
• Do not park on dry grass, the heat from exhaust systems can spark a brush fire.
• If a brush fire is spotted with no emergency crews around, be sure to alert authorities – do not assume someone else has called it in. 
• Always call 911 for real-time emergencies, as opposed to notifying us or the Washington State Patrol via social media or email.

Ferry travel
Washington State Ferry routes also are expected to be busy. Reservations are strongly encouraged on routes that offer them. People boarding a ferry by vehicle can likely expect the busiest sailings and longer wait times to be westbound (or onto an island) Thursday and Friday, Sept. 3-4, and eastbound (or departing an island) Sunday and Monday, Sept. 6-7. 

Walk-on passengers can bypass vehicle lines and usually board much faster. Other helpful tips to consider:

• All riders should double-check the sailing schedules and sign up to receive rider alerts for service updates.
• Visit Washington State Ferries for details on vehicle reservations for some routes, tracking ferries on a real-time map and checking terminal status.