How to Avoid Traffic and Tolls on Colorado’s I-70 Corridor

The I-70 corridor in Colorado is beautiful — and a traffic trap. Here’s how to dodge the gridlock and skip the tolls.

1. What Makes I-70 So Busy?

- Weekend ski traffic
- Steep grades slow trucks
- Only 2 lanes each way in the mountains
- Weather + tourists = chaos

2. Worst Times to Drive

Avoid:
- Friday 3–7pm westbound
- Sunday 1–6pm eastbound
- Holiday Mondays = brutal

Best:
- Weekdays before 2pm
- Saturday after 1pm
- Very early mornings (5:30am)

3. Where the Tolls Are

Eastbound Express Lane (Empire to Idaho Springs):
- $4–$20+
- Dynamic pricing
- Requires ExpressToll or License Plate Toll

Stay right to avoid — but it’s often slower.

4. Alternate Routes That Work

- US-285: Good for Salida, Buena Vista, Gunnison
- CO-9 to CO-24: Breck to Buena Vista cutoff
- I-76 to US-6/US-40: Longer but avoids canyon gridlock

5. Ride Instead of Drive

- Winter Park Express (ski train)
- Snowstang Shuttle (Copper, Steamboat, Loveland)

You chill. Everyone else honks.

6. Use These Apps

- COTrip.org: Live road cams + alerts
- Waze: Crowdsourced detours
- Google Maps: Plan by time of day

Set alerts for weather or traction law triggers.

7. Gas + Bathroom Plan

Stop before the climb:
- Morrison
- Evergreen
- Idaho Springs

Mountain gas = $$$. Facilities = limited.

8. Winter Warnings

Between Nov–April:
- AWD or chains required on storm days
- Traction laws enforced (I-70 especially)
- Slush + mag chloride = windshield mess

Pack:
- Fluid, scraper, snow brush

9. Quick Pit Stops

Try:
- Georgetown walk or coffee
- Sweet Coloradough in Idaho Springs
- Dillon reservoir loop

10. Final Tip

You might hit traffic — but you don’t have to suffer. Drive smart, time it right, and take the scenic detour if things slow down.