Driving I-5? This highway runs from San Diego at the Mexican border up to the Canadian border at Blaine, WA. It’s the main north–south route on the U.S. West Coast, so you’ll hit big cities, long rural stretches, and busy ports. Here are clear, useful tips to make your trip safer and less stressful.
Check real-time traffic apps. Use Caltrans QuickMap, ODOT traveler alerts, WSDOT cameras, or Google Maps to avoid collisions, construction, and major backups. Rush hours are brutal in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle—plan to pass big metro areas outside morning and evening commute windows.
Know carpool and toll rules. Many I-5 segments have HOV lanes and express lanes with cameras. If you plan to use an express lane in California, get a FasTrak or the local pass. Police enforce carpool lane requirements—don’t risk a ticket.
Watch mountain passes and winter rules. Sections like the Tejon/Grapevine and mountain passes north of Redding can demand chains or traction tires in snow. State DOTs will post chain requirements—carry chains if you travel in winter.
Fuel and services matter. There are long stretches with limited services, especially in far northern California and southern Oregon. Keep your tank above half and know where rest areas are—some exits have basic services only.
Major cities along I-5 include San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Redding, Medford, Eugene, Salem, Portland, Seattle, and finally Blaine (the U.S.–Canada crossing). Want scenery? Stop for Mount Shasta views north of Redding or walk waterfronts in Portland and Seattle. If you like small towns, plan short detours—many charming spots sit just off the highway.
Crossing borders? At the southern end you’ll connect to San Ysidro/Tijuana crossings; at the north you’ll meet the Blaine crossing into Vancouver, BC. Check U.S. Customs and Border Protection wait-time tools and consider NEXUS for faster Canada entry if you qualify.
Packing and safety: bring water, a basic toolkit, and a phone charger. For long hauls, rotate drivers and stop at rest areas every couple of hours. Watch for heavy truck traffic near ports—give trucks space and avoid sudden lane changes.
One last tip: watch for planned closures and construction seasons. Summer and fall often bring major projects, while winter brings chain rules. A little planning with state DOT maps and live traffic info keeps your I-5 trip smooth and predictable.
Want local updates? Bookmark the DOT pages for California, Oregon, and Washington and check them before you start each day on the road.
On October 27, 2024, a landslide shuttered all northbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Bellingham near Iowa Street, with no reopening timeline given. This incident calls to mind the 2021 closure due to similar circumstances, highlighting Washington's vulnerability to landslides. These natural occurrences often result from saturated grounds due to heavy rains, causing significant disruptions. WSDOT faces ongoing challenges managing these events effectively.
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