Owning a mountain home comes with the luxury of visiting on your own schedule, but traffic can still be a challenge, especially during holidays, peak ski weekends, and powder days. For second home buyers and owners in Summit County, Eagle County, and surrounding areas, understanding travel patterns and timing your trips can make a huge difference in both convenience and enjoyment.

Planning Your Travel

Traffic on I-70, the main corridor through Summit and Eagle Counties, can become congested during peak holiday periods and popular ski weekends. Planning your trips strategically can help you avoid most delays.

Consider:

• Traveling midweek whenever possible, as roads are typically less crowded than weekends
• Avoiding peak return times on Sunday afternoons, especially during ski season and holiday weekends
• Checking ski resort schedules to anticipate busy periods
• Checking traffic updates, road conditions, and closures with the COlorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) app to anticipate busy periods and unexpected delays.

Exploring Alternative Routes

While I-70 is the most direct route for many mountain towns, scenic back roads can be both enjoyable and less congested. For example:

• Traveling to Breckenridge or Keystone from the west, smaller county roads can offer a more relaxed drive and beautiful views.
• For trips to Vail or Beaver Creek, consider alternate approaches through neighboring valleys when traffic is heavy or skip the drive altogether and consider flying into the Eagle County Regional Airport.

Using these routes not only saves time but can also enhance the overall mountain experience by providing less hectic and more scenic journeys.

Flexibility is Key

Owning a second home gives you the flexibility to visit outside peak periods, which is one of the biggest advantages over renting. Arriving on non-peak days, like Tuesday or Wednesday, allows you to enjoy ski areas, restaurants, and local activities with fewer crowds.

Planning vacations or weekend getaways around off-peak times not only reduces stress but can improve the overall enjoyment of your mountain home lifestyle.

Local Insight Matters

A local real estate team with experience in Summit County and Eagle County can provide valuable insight into traffic patterns, back roads, and the best times to visit. This knowledge helps buyers and homeowners make the most of their property and enjoy stress-free travel.

By understanding peak times, planning trips strategically, and taking advantage of scenic alternate routes, you can spend more time enjoying your mountain retreat and less time sitting in traffic.