Western Slope Braces for Heavy Memorial Day Traffic and High Gas Prices

A record 45 million Americans are hitting the roads this Memorial Day weekend. That is the unofficial start of summer. The majority will be driving. Gas prices are high. The traffic will be worse than usual.

Make no mistake — this isn’t your typical quiet transition into spring. The Western Slope is bracing for a surge that defies the usual holiday lull.

Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA, confirmed the growth. Travel is up 5% compared to 2019. Auto travel is up 4% from last year. That might sound modest compared to the double-digit spikes of previous years, but it’s still a significant increase. People are leaving their homes. They are driving. And they are paying for the privilege.

The reason goes beyond just wanting a vacation. Austyn Dineen, I-70 mountain corridor communications manager with the Colorado Department of Transportation, called Memorial Day a “transition season.” Usually, this time of year is quiet. Not this year. The snowpack is low. The spring was dry. The high country trails and roads are wide open. More than they’ve been in years past.

This openness changes the game. It means more routes are available, but it also means more congestion in specific choke points. The Eisenhower Tunnel alone is projected to handle around 150,000 drivers. That is a lot of metal moving through a narrow cut in the rock.

Drivers need to watch their wallets. McKinley advised against filling up along the interstate. You will pay a premium for that convenience. Instead, check your fuel gauge before you hit the highway. A well-maintained car saves money. It saves you from breakdowns. It saves you from being stuck on the side of the road while traffic backs up for miles.

The weather is cooperating. Dineen noted the forecast looks fairly favorable starting Saturday. That’s a relief. But don’t let the sun fool you into ignoring the risks. Cabin fever is real. People are eager to get out. That eagerness leads to mistakes.

Those mistakes include dragging chains. Sparks from dragging chains can start fires. Parking on dry grass is another easy way to ignite a wildfire. The grass is dry. The wind is picking up. One spark is all it takes. CDOT is urging travelers to stay informed about statewide conditions. Fire restrictions are in place for a reason.

Traffic will be heavy at Floyd Hill and the Eisenhower Tunnel. If you can, adjust your plans. Travel earlier or later in the day to avoid the Sunday rush. Or take Bustang. It’s a stress-free alternative. You don’t have to worry about parking. You don’t have to drive in the slow lane. You just sit and let someone else do the work.

Construction projects are still active on I-70. Expect delays. Expect lane closures. Expect frustration.

The short version: The roads are open. The gas is expensive. The crowds are big. If you’re heading out, check your tires. Avoid the interstate gas stations. Watch for sparks. And for the love of common sense, don’t park on dry grass.

The number of cars climbing the mountain is rising. The infrastructure wasn’t built for this volume. It’s a transition season, but it’s playing out like peak summer. That’s the reality for anyone planning a trip this weekend.