Thanksgiving weekend travel charts - I-5 - Bellingham to Canadian Border

Thanksgiving weekend travel charts showing when I-5 from Bellingham to the Canadian Border is expected to be the most congested to help plan your travel.

Reading the charts

The colors

WSDOT traffic analysts looked at how many cars were on the road past Thanksgiving weekends. Based on this historical data, the graphs shows how many cars (vertical axis) we project to be on the road each hour (horizontal axis) for Thanksgiving weekend 2023. As the graphs turn from green to yellow, drivers can expect some congestion. During the red hours, traffic analysts predict travel will reach roadway capacity. Once a roadway reaches capacity, any small incident can cause significant backups.

The black line

The black line running from left to right shows typical traffic. This gives drivers more information on how the Thanksgiving 2023 holiday weekend travel may relate to a typical weekend.

Northbound

Wednesday, November 22

A travel chart for Nov. 22, 2023 on I-5 NB between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between noon and 6pm.

Thursday, November 23

A travel chart for Nov. 23, 2023 on I-5 NB between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between 11 am and noon..

Friday, November 24

A travel chart for Nov. 24, 2023 on I-5 NB between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between 11 am and 5pm.

Saturday, November 25

A travel chart for Nov. 24, 2023 on I-5 NB between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between noon and 4pm.

Sunday, November 26

A travel chart for Nov. 26 2023 on I-5 NB between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between 1 and 5pm.

Monday, November 27

A travel chart for Nov. 27 2023 on I-5 NB between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between 1 and 5pm.

Southbound

Wednesday, November 22

A travel chart for Nov. 22, 2023 on I-5 Southbound between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic highs at 9 am and between 11 am and 1pm.

Thursday, November 23

A travel chart for Nov. 22, 2023 on I-5 Southbound between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a moderate traffic high between 9am and 8pm.

Friday, November 24

A travel chart for Nov. 24 2023 on I-5 Southbound between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between 10 am and noon.

Saturday, November 25

A travel chart for Nov. 25 2023 on I-5 Southbound between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between 9am and 3pm.

Sunday, November 26

A travel chart for Nov. 26, 2023 on I-5 Southbound between Lacey and Tacoma showing a traffic high between 9am to 3pm and at 5 pm.

Monday, November 27

A travel chart for Nov. 27 2023 on I-5 Southbound between Bellingham and the Canadian Border showing a traffic high between 7am and noon.

Slow down on ice and snow.

It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.

Carry chains, practice installing them.

Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.

Pack your winter car kit.

Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.