WASHINGTON, USA — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) released its traffic forecast for the Thanksgiving weekend.
According to WSDOT, on weekend holidays, state highways across Washington will see higher than usual traffic, especially on Interstate 90, where lengthy delays are expected. Longer than typical wait times at ferry docks also are expected during a holiday that falls on a weekend.
Here are the best days and times to travel for Thanksgiving.
Travel between Tacoma and Lacey
For travel between Tacoma and Lacey, drivers can expect consistent congestion on Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day is expected to have a few hours of heavy congestion, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Weekend travel is expected to be the most congested between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Travel between Cle Elum and North Bend
For those going westbound on I-90 Wednesday, the most congested time on the road is expected to be between 12 and 2 p.m., with moderate to heavy traffic expected from 9 a.m. through 6 p.m.
On Thanksgiving Day, only moderate to heavy traffic is expected between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For those planning to head westbound on Friday, expect moderate to heavy traffic from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Long periods of congestion are expected on Saturday and Sunday.
For people looking to travel east on I-90, expect significant congestion from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. The worst time for those traveling over the weekend will be Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
According to WSDOT, Snoqualmie Pass has already seen ice and snow accumulation on the pass. Chains are currently required in both directions.
Drivers can get immediate updates on pass conditions by texting the number 468311 with the words "WSDOT Snoqualmie."
Travel between Skykomish and Stevens Pass
The worst time for those traveling east on US 2 will be Friday, Nov. 25, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The only time congestion is expected for those traveling westbound throughout the week is Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Weather forecast
Wednesday and Thursday will be dry and partly sunny with highs in the low to mid 50s. The roadways on the busiest travel day, Nov. 23, will be dry.
