HOV Lane Hours Reduced Finally On Highway 101 In Marin-Sonoma

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Relief is on the way for commuters on Highway 101, as the California Department of Transportation officially announced reduced operating hours for high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Marin and Sonoma counties.

Effective in late February, coinciding with the update of HOV hours signage, the new schedule will be 6-9 a.m. and 3-6:30 p.m., replacing the current 5-10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. hours. The consistent hours across both counties are expected to ease congestion and improve the daily commute for many North Bay residents.

Caltrans announced the adjustment following a December commitment to analyze traffic and address ongoing concerns from commuters, who reported longer travel times after the recent opening of the third lane through the Marin-Sonoma Narrows. The change comes after sustained advocacy from local and state elected officials and regional transportation agencies.

The effort to secure the hour reduction was spearheaded by the County of Marin, led by Supervisor Eric Lucan, in partnership with State Assemblymember Damon Connolly, the Transportation Authority of Marin, and the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authority.

“We celebrated the long-anticipated opening of the third lane through the Marin-Sonoma Narrows, but early concerns we raised about the new HOV hours creating congestion proved valid” Lucan said. “We heard clearly from constituents frustrated by longer commutes, and I appreciate Caltrans’ willingness to listen and adjust the hours to better match peak travel times while continuing to support carpooling and transit.”

Assemblymember Connolly, representing Marin and parts of Sonoma, welcomed the expedited action.

“Elevating the voices of our North Bay residents and working with our county partners, we have been able to expedite the timeline to change HOV hours to better reflect the needs of our commuters and prevent unnecessary traffic congestion,” Connolly said.

San Rafael Mayor and TAM Chair Kate Colin noted that the updated hours strike a necessary balance.

“Aligning the hours more closely with peak travel times helps make the daily commute more predictable, while supporting transit and shared rides,” she said.

Caltrans provides occasional updates on the US-101 Marin-Sonoma Narrows carpool lanes.