Plan your I-70 trip over MLK weekend

It’s no secret that MLK weekend is a popular time to enjoy the mountains, thanks to the great snow in January and an extra day off of work (if you’re lucky). If you’re thinking of heading up to Breck this weekend, take the time to do a little planning and avoid the traffic along I-70. It’s always more fun spending time on the slopes instead of in your car!

Here are some valuable travel tips from the I-70 Coalition:

• Travel at off peak times: Learn the best and worst times to travel before you hit the road at GoI70.com/travel   Quick Tip:  On a three day holiday weekend, Sunday is usually the best day to travel I-70.
• Look before you drive: Check the real time road info at Cotrip.org or CDOT app before you head towards I-70.
• Stay later into the day and take advantage of a great deal on dining, shopping and activities. Visit GoI70.com/deals to see all of your options!

Our favorite solution for avoiding the rush hour mess back to the Front Range is to simply stay and play longer in Breck. Book a hotel room Monday night, and enjoy another night in town, and make the drive early Tuesday morning to have the entire highway to yourself. If you don’t feel like driving yourself, check out the Colorado Mountain Express for great deals to and from Breck and Denver.

Make sure to monitor conditions! Forecasts are predicting some snow to fall this weekend, so be sure to download the CDOT Mobile app for up to the minute alerts and closures. CDOT is introducing a brand new program this weekend called I-70 Mountain Travel Radio. This live streaming program will provide the most accurate and up-to-date I-70 weekend traffic and road condition information, as well as winter safe driving tips, alternative transportation options and “Peak Time Deals”.  I-70 Mountain Travel Radio will broadcast through  CoTrip.org and the CDOT Mobile app every Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 9am, and again at 2:30pm to 6pm throughout the winter.

With just a little planning, I-70 traffic should be avoidable this holiday weekend.  Check the weekend I-70 travel forecast and learn other #I70 west travel tips before you hit the road.  GoI70.com is a great resource to give you More Mountains and Less Traffic!

– Tony Cooper