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I am considering a backpacking trip in the Elks (out of Aspen) over Labor Day weekend, and am worried about the traffic on I-70 (I am coming from Denver). If I were to drive out there on Saturday morning, does anyone know how early the traffic typically begins? And am I just asking for trouble if I plan on driving back on Monday evening? Does anyone know how late the traffic typically keeps up on the holiday itself? I could adjust my hiking schedule to come back on Tuesday morning/afternoon if that would help. I am assuming that despite the traffic, I-70 to independence pass would still be the quickest route; please let me know if I should consider any alternatives. Thanks in advance for any feedback!

rdp32 wrote:does anyone know how early the traffic typically begins?

Leave before 6 or 7am on Saturday and make the return drive on early Tuesday morning.

Someone told me recently that they left Englewood (South Denver) at 5pm on Friday, July 1 and it took them 2.5 hours just to make to Bailey on 285.

It is what it is, plan accordingly...

Leave early on Saturday (before 6am) and you shouldn't have any problems (Friday will be the bad day). Leave aspen after 7pm on Monday and you should be good as well.

Last year's Labor Day wknd advice

Some good nuggets of wisdom in there.

Thanks all. Leaving before 6am on Saturday shouldn't be a problem at all. Leaving Aspen after 7pm on Monday shouldn't be a problem either; if that will help us avoid most of the traffic, I will just do that.

I recently drove from Denver to Aspen on a Friday afternoon. Heavy traffic had already started WB at 2pm (doesn't anyone work?)! It took me the same amount of time to go Denver to the tunnel, as it took to go from the tunnel to Aspen. I70 is so F$&ked.

I can't remember if it was 2014 or 15, but I was driving along 70 near Applejack and saw on the travel times 3hr48min to Idaho Springs and decided on the spot I would not be going to that mountains that holiday weekend.

News flash: There are too many people in Denver. You must leave earlier than you expect to get to the mountains, and it seems that time gets earlier each weekend.
IDK WTF was up last Friday, but 285 was backed up--bumper to bumper--from about five miles before Conifer until just before Bailey.
There was a wreck right next to the Ben Tyler TH, but it appeared to be unrelated, given that the road opened up for miles before it.

There actually aren't too many people in Denver. They just need to change their schedules.

I-70 sucks and so does 1-25. Avoid them like the plague.

The infrastructure is what is the major problem. It's light years behind and not keeping up with the population. And only 1 viable route to most mountain activities. The 4 years of construction to widen like 10 miles of EB road for a toll lane has made a tiny dent in the horrific I70 problem.

It will never matter how many damn lanes they make in Denver, on the 70, on the 470, on the 25. A lot of it heads up 70 and then guess what? It turns into 2 LANES!