Courtesy of Colorado Department of Transportation
The Colorado Department of Transportation is preparing for a unique Memorial Day holiday traffic pattern this year. While the three-day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, a dry winter and spring mean high-country roads and trails are more accessible than usual—potentially driving traffic well past normal holiday baselines.
To help ease congestion over Memorial Day weekend, CDOT will suspend all statewide construction and maintenance projects starting at noon on Friday, May 22. Work will not resume until Tuesday morning, May 26.
“Memorial Day is historically quiet in between winter and summer tourism seasons, but a low 2026 snowpack means more access in Colorado’s high country,” said CDOT Director of Maintenance and Operations Shawn Smith. “Despite some local fire restrictions, we anticipate this increased accessibility will entice a much higher volume of motorists into the mountains than we typically see for this holiday.”
CDOT warns that this year’s traffic numbers could easily surpass those historical averages. Motorists should also be aware that several counties and federal lands have already implemented fire restrictions due to dry conditions. Travelers should check local restrictions before heading out, as campfires may be barred outside of permanently developed metal or masonry fire rings. Before heading into the mountains, drivers are urged to visit COtrip.org or download the free COtrip Planner app to view live tracking, camera feeds, and real-time travel alerts.
I-70 Mountain Corridor expected volumes
For motorists planning to travel on the I-70 Mountain Corridor, CDOT advises to travel via Bustang or traveling before 10:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, and Monday, May 25. More I-70 Mountain Corridor information is available at codot.gov/travel/i70mountain or www.GoI70.com.
- Friday Westbound I-70: Traffic typically spikes in the afternoon. Last year, peak travel hit at 4 p.m. with more than 2,000 cars per hour pushing through Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT).
- Saturday Westbound I-70: For those leaving Saturday morning, the rush peaks at midday. Last year, traffic surpassed 2,000 cars per hour at noon.
- Monday Eastbound I-70: The return rush hits hard right after lunch. Last year, eastbound traffic peaked at 1 p.m. with 2,500+ cars per hour traveling through the tunnel toward Denver.
This summer is different
Because of these severe drought conditions, motorists must take extra precautions to prevent vehicle-caused wildfires, such as reducing hot brakes, securing dragging trailer chains and never parking on dry grass. Travelers are encouraged to be aware of various fire restrictions that are in place across the state. For a list of summer driving tips and checklists, visit codot.gov/travel/driving-safety.
Memorial Day travel fast facts
Despite being a major holiday, Memorial Day has historically lagged behind other summer weekends for mountain travel:
- No Top 10 traffic records have ever been set at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels over Memorial Day weekend.
- The weekend averages roughly 151,000 vehicles through the EJMT (combined Eastbound and Westbound, Friday through Monday).
- The busiest Memorial Day weekend of the past five years occurred during peak pandemic travel in 2021, topping out at 166,791 vehicles.
Statewide mountain passes (scheduled openings are weather permitting)
- CO 82/ Independence Pass between Twin Lakes and Aspen expected opening Thursday, May 21
- CO 5/ Mount Blue Sky Highway is expected to open on Friday, May 22
- US 34/ Trail Ridge Road between Estes Park and Grand Lake (Rocky Mountain National Park) is expected to open in late May to early June. Call 970-586-1222 for status.
- Kebler Pass/ Gunnison County Road 12 – Following road repairs, scheduled to open before Memorial Day. Please visit www.gunnisoncounty.org/158/Roads-Bridges for status.
- US 550 Mountain Corridor/ southwest Colorado – Due to the annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on Saturday, May 23, US Highway 550 will be fully closed in both directions from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., between Purgatory Ski Resort and Silverton (Mile Points 49 to 71). Motorists are urged to allow ample travel time to make it past the Purgatory and Silverton 7:30 a.m. closure points. Drivers may consider an alternate route via CO 145 through Telluride.