4 things to know about Labor Day weekend travel

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and with that comes the usual holiday gridlock. Here are some tips for coping:

Beware the bottlenecks

The usual chokepoints on I-5 and U.S. 2, as well as Washington State Ferries routes, will likely lengthen travel times in Snohomish County.

Avoid peak hours

Stop-and-go highway traffic is expected Friday afternoon and almost all day Monday.

Couple of aberrations from the usual: The I-405 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers on Monday. And the southbound-side I-5 bridge across the Stillaguamish River will be closed for preservation work, possibly leading to backups because both directions share the northbound bridge.

Ferry frustrating

Ferry terminals are expected to see peak travel westbound Thursday through Saturday and eastbound Sunday through Tuesday. Sailings could be thrown off schedule if there are crew shortages due to COVID-19 cases and quarantines. Plan accordingly. Peak times:

• Mukilteo to Clinton (Whidbey Island): 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.

• Clinton (Whidbey Island) to Mukilteo: 8:30 a.m. and 7:35 p.m. on Sunday, and as early as 5:35 a.m. Monday.

• Edmonds to Kingston: 8:50 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and 7:10 a.m. through 6:15 p.m. on Saturday.

• Kingston to Edmonds: 9:35 a.m. and 8:20 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Stay informed

Use WSDOT’s mobile app and website for real-time info about highways and ferry terminals.