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I-5 and I-90 Express Lanes

View of Express Lanes

WSDOT uses the I-5 and I-90 express lanes to assist the flow of traffic during busy travel times. These lanes are scheduled to move in the direction that will relieve the most congestion from the transportation system. We operate the lanes on a typical daily schedule that changes on the weekends and occasionally for major events. 





I-5 Express Lane Schedule

  • Monday-Friday
    Southbound - 5 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
    Northbound - 11:15 a.m. to 11 p.m.
    Closed: 11:00 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: 11:00 p.m. - 8 a.m.
  • Special Events and I-5 Closure Schedule
  • View map of I-5 express lanes and ramps

Please note that the express lane times given are only for the mainline entrances at Northgate and Downtown Seattle.  Other express lane entrances may close earlier than the posted times.

I-90 Express Lane Schedule

  • Monday-Thursday
    Westbound - 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    Eastbound - 2 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Friday
    Westbound - 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    Eastbound - 2 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday morning 
  • Saturday & Sunday
    Eastbound all weekend beginning at 2 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday morning, unless there is an adjustment to accommodate traffic heading to a special event. 
  • Special Events
  • View map of I-90 express lanes and ramps

Game Day Congestion

  • Many traveling to events in Seattle wonder why, on workdays, we don't adjust the express lane schedules drastically to accommodate the increase in drivers traveling to Seattle. Recent traffic studies provide the answer.


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