Memorial Day is just days away and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is bracing for the holiday that it said is “one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.”
Heavy traffic is anticipated along the I-15 along the I-15 between Las Vegas and Southern California with peak travel delays expected on Memorial Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Travel times at the Nevada-California border are expected to be significantly delayed during this time, the RTC said.
Not only will travelers on Las Vegas roads be impacted this upcoming Monday, the Harry Reid International Airport is also expecting increased traffic May 25.
Here’s everything Las Vegas travelers need to know about traffic over Memorial Day weekend including changes to bus schedules, how to check travel times and how to use other travel resources.
When is Memorial Day 2026?
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25 this year.
Is the 15 freeway to Las Vegas open?
As of May 20, the I-15 going between Las Vegas and Los Angeles is open with minimal traffic, according to Caltrans. However, travelers may experience some delays because of road work at Cima Road between Mountain Pass and Halloran Springs, as well as around Barstow and Victorville. The delays are expected to increase on Memorial Day.
To stay updated on I-15 traffic between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, travelers can visit Caltrans’ Quick Map at quickmap.dot.ca.gov for California travel information and seeingorangenv.com for Nevada traffic updates.
What is the best time to travel on the I-15?
The RTC said in April that the least amount of traffic on the Nevada side of the I-15 going between Las Vegas and Los Angeles is from midnight to 6 a.m. and the 15 freeway’s Nevada side lowest traffic days are Tuesday and Wednesday.
Travel time between LA and Las Vegas
The drive between Los Angeles and Las Vegas takes about 4 to 5 hours, but traffic can add significant time to that estimate.
RTC Memorial Day transit schedules
Instead of operating on a Monday schedule, the RTC’s transit schedules will be on their typical Sunday schedule in Las Vegas on Memorial Day. People riding the bus on Memorial Day can find each route’s holiday schedule at rtcsnv.com/ways-to-travel/schedules-maps/.
RTC recommends people interested in using public transit over Memorial Day download the free rideRTC app to plan transit trips and easily pay for trips, or tap to pay with a debit or credit card, smartphone wallet or smart watch. Passengers are also encouraged to check the RTC Alerts and Detours page for the latest updates on bus service changes, detours, or stop closures.
Quick links to Las Vegas travel resources
This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Headed to Vegas from SoCal for Memorial Day? Best times to travel on I-15
Reporting by Carly Sauvageau, USA TODAY NETWORK / Reno Gazette Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
