Labor Day weekend is here, Californians. If you’re one of the many planning a last-minute Labor Day weekend trip, traffic may be on your mind.
In Southern California, peak holiday weekend congestion will be Los Angeles to Palm Springs via the 10 freeway on Thursday, and from San Diego to Palm Springs via the 15 freeway on Friday, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. As these stretches of SoCal freeways get especially busy, AAA Mountain Group said that Saturday, Aug. 30, is expected to be the busiest day of travel for drivers.
The Desert Sun is providing an overview of whether there are freeway, lane, or exit closures for just some of the freeways that connect major regions across the state between Thursday, Aug. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 2, using information from Caltrans that was retrieved on Thursday, Aug. 28.
Remember that closures can happen at any time due to car crashes, overturned trucks, or disasters like wildfires. One way to check road conditions is by using quickmap.dot.ca.gov, a map from Caltrans that identifies various road conditions across the state. Motorists are encouraged to check with Caltrans before they hit the road to find the latest road conditions, or find specific information about which exits or lanes are closed and from where.
Interstate 5 from Santa Clarita to Central Valley
Californians traveling this stretch of Interstate 5 can expect lane and ramp closures during this period, including in Santa Clarita and Castaic. Highway 99 will also have an on-ramp closure in Kern County during this period.
Highway 152 from the Central Coast to the San Joaquin Valley
No closures are planned for Highway 152 in Santa Cruz County. As motorists head east toward the San Joaquin Valley, there will be some shoulder and lane closures on Highway 152 in Merced County during this period, but there are no planned closures on the stretch of this freeway in Madera County.
Interstate 580 from Bay Area to Central Valley, including Altamont Pass
Commuters between the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Valley might opt for Interstate 580, which includes the Altamont Pass. In Alameda County, Interstate 580 will see some planned operations during this period, but lanes will be open during this work. As motorists enter San Joaquin County, ramp closures will occur during this period as it steers motorists south. As for Interstate 205 in San Joaquin County, operations planned during this period don’t involve lanes being closed on the freeway.
Interstate 15 from Southern California to Las Vegas
Southern Californians headed to Las Vegas will travel a long stretch of Interstate 15. If you’re hitting the roads before Friday morning or late Tuesday, Sept. 2, expect some ramp and lane closures during this period before you reach the High Desert. However, Caltrans District 8 — which covers Riverside and San Bernardino counties — announced on X that there will be no lane closures starting Friday, Aug. 29 at 6 a.m. until Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. due to the holiday.
Interstate 80 from the Central Valley to Lake Tahoe and Reno area
Expect some lane and ramp closures along Interstate 80 while traveling through Placer County for the Central Valley residents heading to Lake Tahoe or Reno during the holiday weekend. For these motorists heading east, any traffic on the 80 freeway as you’re getting out of the Sacramento area and toward Roseville shouldn’t be due to any planned road closures from Caltrans, as operations scheduled during this period don’t involve any lanes being closed during this work.
Highway 41 and Highway 46 from Central Coast to Central Valley
Californians headed from the Central Coast and toward Bakersfield and Fresno should know that a portion of Highway 41 is closed from the east junction of the 46 Highway in San Luis Obispo County to the Kern County line. There doesn’t appear to be any planned closures for Highway 46 in Kern County, but there are some Caltrans operations for parts of Highway 41 in Kings County, though it’s all scheduled for the evening through early mornings during this period.
What's the difference between highways, freeways, and interstates?
In California, the terms "highway," "freeway," and "interstate" often get used interchangeably, but they carry distinct meanings rooted in design, funding, and function. A highway is a general term for any public road that connects cities and regions, and it can include both surface streets and major routes. A freeway is a type of highway designed for high-speed travel, with controlled access—meaning no stoplights or intersections—and is typically maintained by the state. An interstate, on the other hand, is part of the federally funded Interstate Highway System, built to uniform standards for national defense and commerce. So while all interstates are freeways, not all freeways are interstates—and not all highways are either. In California, you might drive on Highway 1 for scenic coastal views, merge onto Freeway 101 for urban commuting, and hit I-5 for long-haul travel across the state.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Labor Day travel: See Caltrans' closures across California freeways
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