Memorial Day Weekend – Unofficial Start of Summer Season – More Traffic, More Construction, Calls for More Patience & Planning
(Photo – Maintenance crews work on shoulder and ditch improvements along U.S. 199 between Wonder and the California border earlier this month. Most highway maintenance and construction work will be paused over the upcoming holiday weekend to help reduce travel delays.)
(SALEM, OR) — Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer travel season in Oregon, with more people heading to the coast, mountains and destinations across the state. Summer often brings busier travel, more construction, and increased wildfire and smoke impacts across the state.
Safe summer trips start before you leave home.
“Summer in Oregon means road trips, recreation and exploring everything our state has to offer,” ODOT Interim Director Lisa Sumption said. “It also means more traffic, more construction work and greater wildfire danger. A little planning and attention behind the wheel can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe.”
Travel safely during wildfire season
Hot, dry summer conditions can turn a single spark into a fast-moving wildfire. Vehicle-related fires are a concern during wildfire season, making simple prevention especially important for summer travelers. Wildfires and smoke can also create dangerous driving conditions, including poor visibility, sudden traffic changes and unexpected road closures.
Drivers can help reduce fire risk by:
- Never throwing cigarettes or other flammable materials from a vehicle.
- Making sure parts like mufflers or trailer chains are secure and not dragging, which can create sparks.
- Checking tire pressure, wheel bearing lubrication and worn brakes to avoid metal-on-metal contact.
- Parking only on gravel or developed pull-outs, where hot exhaust systems are less likely to ignite dry grass.
If you encounter smoke, slow down and increase following distance. Turn on your headlights using low beams, since high beams can make visibility worse, and keep windows closed with your vehicle’s air system set to recirculate. Stay alert for emergency responders, stopped vehicles and changing traffic patterns. If visibility becomes unsafe, pull off the road only when you can do so safely and well clear of travel lanes.
Smoke and wildfire activity can change quickly and lead to sudden road closures. Check conditions before you leave and during your trip, and consider delaying travel if visibility is poor.
Travelers can find additional wildfire prevention information from Keep Oregon Green and the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Travel smart: plan ahead and be prepared
Summer is one of the busiest construction and maintenance seasons for Oregon highways. Crews will be repairing roads, preserving bridges, striping highways, clearing vegetation and responding to incidents statewide. Conditions can also vary dramatically across Oregon, even in summer.
Before and during your trip:
- Use TripCheck.com for road conditions, traffic cameras, incidents, construction impacts and delay information.
- Check weather forecasts, especially for heat, smoke or summer storms.
- Pack water, medications, snacks and emergency supplies in case your journey lasts longer than you expected.
- Fuel up or charge before traveling, especially through remote areas or over mountain passes.
- Leave extra travel time, especially on holiday weekends.
- Slow down in work zones, move over for flashing lights, and put your phone away so you can stay alert.
Consider public transportation, ridesharing or carpooling to reduce congestion, lower travel costs and make the journey less stressful. Public transportation options like POINT bus service and Amtrak Cascades can be a great alternative to driving for some trips. It costs $5 to book your bike on Amtrak, and you can bring your bike on POINT for free, though space is limited.
Drivers can expect two major closures on I-5 in Portland this year, an overnight full closure of I-5 in July and a closure of all southbound lanes of I-5 in the Rose Quarter for up to five weeks in mid-September. To learn more about the Rose Quarter project and related traffic impacts, sign up for alerts.
Share the road
Summer means more motorcycles, bicyclists, pedestrians, farm equipment and travelers unfamiliar with local roads. Sharing the road safely means staying sober, avoiding distractions, following posted speed limits and wearing your seatbelt. Give extra space to motorcycles and people biking or walking, and remember that people on bicycles may use the full lane to avoid obstacles, narrow roads or drop-off shoulders. Patience goes a long way, especially in heavy traffic.
Whether you’re headed across town or across the state, your choices behind the wheel help protect everyone on the road.
The Neil Creek Fire burns near I-5 south of Ashland in July 2025, prompting a lane closure on the interstate. Summer conditions such as wildfire and smoke can quickly affect travel plans across Oregon.
Travelers can find the latest road conditions, traffic cameras and weather information at TripCheck.com, which provides real-time travel information to help you plan safe trips year-round.
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