Express lanes

Find schedule information and view a map of the I-5 Express Lanes.

The I-5 Express Lanes help traffic flow during busy travel times. These lanes move in the direction that will relieve the most congestion and are on a typical daily schedule that changes on weekends and occasionally for major events.

I-5 Express Lanes schedule

Monday-Friday

  • Southbound - 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Northbound - 11:15 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Closed: 11 p.m. - 5 a.m.

Saturday & Sunday

  • Southbound - 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Northbound - 1:45 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Closed: 11 p.m. - 8 a.m.

Special events schedule  

Express lanes closing early

The I-5 Express Lanes will close at 9 p.m. nightly on the following dates to allow for work within the lanes:

March 27-29

The express lanes will resume normal scheduling by 5 a.m. each morning after the closures.

Express lanes remain open northbound overnight

The I-5 Express Lanes will remain open in the northbound direction on the following nights due to planned closures of the northbound I-5 mainline:

April 3-6

April 8 and 9

The express lanes will resume normal scheduling each of the following mornings.

Express lanes remain closed

The I-5 Express Lanes will stay closed on Saturday, March 25 for yearly maintenance within the lanes. The lanes will resume normal weekend schedules the following morning.

I-5 Express Lanes map

Map showing location of I-5 express lanes through Seattle

Slow down – lives are on the line.

In 2022, speeding continued to be a top reason for work zone crashes.

Even one life lost is too many.

Each year about 670 people are killed nationally in highway work zones. In 2022, Washington had six fatal work zone crashes on state roads.

It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.

95% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.