When Seattle drivers should hit the road this Labor Day
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Hitting the road for Labor Day? Friday is expected to bring some of the holiday weekend's worst traffic, especially in the afternoon.
Why it matters: Peak holiday congestion — which generally occurs Thursday afternoon, Friday afternoon and Monday — could add serious time to your trip.
Zoom in: Seattle-area travelers could face some of the country's worst holiday congestion, with travel times on some routes projected to more than double during peak periods, according to a forecast from AAA and INRIX.
- Backups are expected on several of Western Washington's main routes, including I-5 between Tacoma and Lacey, I-90 between North Bend and Cle Elum and US 2 over Stevens Pass, per the Washington State Department of Transportation.
- INRIX says the Seattle-to-Ellensburg drive on I-90 could take twice as long as normal during the Monday return rush.
- Sunday is expected to be the easiest day to drive, with minimal traffic, according to INRIX, a transportation data firm that calculates travel times.
Road trippers also face much higher gas prices this year than last with King County's average cost per gallon topping $5.65 this week.
The bottom line: Can't stomach the traffic? Stay home.
- Seattle has long been a sweet September staycation spot.