Memorial Day is one of the biggest travel days of the year, which means Las Vegas is expected to see higher traffic volumes than normal over the holiday weekend.
The traffic congestion will be at its peak on Monday, when travelers are heading back to Southern California on Interstate 15.
The Regional Transportation Commission expects the heaviest travel delays on I-15 southbound between Las Vegas and the California border to occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday.
The I-15 southbound near the Nevada-California border saw 41,441 vehicles on Memorial Day in 2024 and 40,908 last year, according to the RTC. The total annual daily volume on I-15 northbound and southbound combined in 2024 was 44,000 and 41,500 in 2025.
“So, Memorial Day southbound traffic alone was nearly equal to the average daily traffic volume for both directions combined,” RTC spokeswoman Catherine Busche said in an email.
Drivers are encouraged to visit RTC’s SeeingOrangeNV.com webiste for real-time traffic conditions.
AAA expects 45 million people to travel at least 50 miles over Memorial Day weekend, with 39.1 million of those driving, despite gas prices reaching the highest point in several years. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel in the Las Vegas Valley was $5.28 on Tuesday. That price is the same as it was a week ago, up 30 cents over the past month and $1.36 higher per gallon compared to the same day last year, according to AAA data.
“Despite high fuel prices, the underlying desire to travel remains positive and strong as travelers are prioritizing leisure summer getaways,” AAA spokeswoman Cyndi Zesk said in a statement.
To ensure motorists are getting the best gas mileage they can, AAA recommends removing unnecessary weight from vehicles and ensuring drivers maintain proper tire pressure.
RTC’s bus system will be operating on a Sunday schedule to handle the anticipated increase in riders. The Deuce bus on the Strip runs every 10 to 15 minutes, 24 hours per day, for those looking to move around the resort corridor.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
