Cheat Memorial Day Traffic With This WSDOT Drive-Time Data

SEATTLE, WA - Pop quiz: what's the best time of day to drive from Federal Way to Olympia on I-5? How about from Bothell to Renton on I-405? Answer: there is no good time of day for that, but some times are slightly less traffic-y.

Any existing traffic problems around Puget Sound will be magnified over Memorial Day as hordes of Puget Sound residents head to the San Juans or Lake Chelan or wherever. Luckily, the Washington state Department of Transportation has released some data that can help you avoid some of the worst traffic.

Visit WSDOT's Memorial Day driver tips page for advice on when to leave (and when to return) this weekend on the busiest Puget Sound routes, including: I-90 eastbound, I-5 southbound, and U.S. 2 eastbound. The WDOT data shows you when peak travel times happen (which means don't travel during those times).

Another bonus from WSDOT: road crews are off for the entire Memorial Day weekend, which means that construction won't be impeding any major routes.

Here are some more tips from WSDOT to survive the Memorial Day weekend travel rush:

• Check the Washington State Department of Transportation's best times to travel charts to help plan your trip and avoid congestion.
• Get informed about WSDOT's online tools, including mobile apps, traffic cameras and email alerts.
• Visit online traveler information for traffic, weather and ferry schedules.
• Follow WSDOT's social media accounts, such as Twitter and Facebook.
• Pre-program your vehicle radio to 530 AM and 1610 AM for highway advisory radio alerts.
• Call 5-1-1 for updated road conditions.
• Leave extra time for travel during the holidays to avoid rushing or distraction.

Image via WSDOT