Ready, set, road trip: WSDOT offers Labor Day weekend travel tools and tips

Plan ahead for holiday weekend congestion Sept. 4-7

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

The Washington State Department of Transportation urges travelers to plan ahead, stay alert and give themselves extra time to get to their destinations. WSDOT has Labor Day weekend travel charts 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, WSDOT encourages travelers to "know before you go" by following these tips:

• Get informed about WSDOT's online tools, including the WSDOT mobile app, traffic cameras and email alerts.
• Visit online traveler information for traffic, weather, ferry schedules and a real-time travel map.
• Follow WSDOT 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 WSDOT 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.
• State Route 160/Sedgwick Road between SR 16 and the Southworth Ferry Terminal remains closed through October for a fish barrier correction project at Salmonberry Creek. A signed detour is in place for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.

Vantage Bridge
To help accommodate increased travel during the holiday weekend, all lanes of I-90 across the Vantage Bridge will be open Friday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 7. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, the bridge will return to one lane in each direction around the clock through Monday, Nov. 2, when construction pauses for winter. This project is part of a long-term effort to replace the deteriorating bridge deck and is expected to be complete by fall 2028.

Tolling
In the Puget Sound region, weekend toll rates will be in effect beginning Monday, Sept. 7 on the SR 520 bridge, SR 99 tunnel and SR 509 Expressway. The I-405 and SR 167 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers Monday, Sept. 7. Out-of-town travelers, including those using rental cars, can learn about toll roads and temporary account payment options on the Good To Go! visitors page.

Trains, airports and transit
Travelers making a trip by train, personal aircraft or bus also should plan ahead to avoid holiday delays:

• Amtrak Cascades passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets early and plan to arrive at the station at least one hour before departure. Trains run between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon, stopping at 18 stations along the way. Buses also are available for 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.
• For information about traveling via state-sponsored airports, visit WSDOT's airport list or call 360-618-2477.
• Check with local public transit agencies for any holiday schedule or service changes, including some Dial-A-Ride and fixed-route service that may not run on holidays.