I-70 Traffic Cameras: America's Mountain Crossing
Monitor real-time traffic cameras along all 2,153 miles of Interstate 70, from Cove Fort, Utah to Baltimore, Maryland. Track conditions through the Eisenhower Tunnel, Colorado ski corridors, and heartland cities on TrafficVision.Live.
VIEW I-70 CAMERAS →Interstate 70 spans 2,153 miles from Cove Fort, Utah to Baltimore, Maryland, serving as America's premier cross-country route through the Rocky Mountains. The I-70 Mountain Corridor in Colorado sees immense volume, with a record 55,224 vehicles passing through the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels in a single 24-hour period. According to the FHWA, real-time traffic monitoring helps drivers make safer, more informed decisions. Research indicates that real-time traveler information systems can reduce incident-related delays by up to 40% by providing drivers with the visual intelligence needed to find alternate routes. Every camera plotted on an interactive map — zoom, search, and click to view any location instantly.
I-70 Route Overview
I-70 traverses dramatically different landscapes across its 10-state journey: Utah (232 mi), Colorado (451 mi), Kansas (424 mi), Missouri (252 mi), Illinois (156 mi), Indiana (157 mi), Ohio (226 mi), West Virginia (14 mi), Pennsylvania (168 mi), and Maryland (93 mi).
According to the FHWA, real-time traffic monitoring helps drivers make safer, more informed decisions.
Key Cities Along I-70 (West to East)
- Cove Fort, UT: Western terminus, junction with I-15
- Green River, UT: Gateway to Canyonlands, desert outpost
- Grand Junction, CO: Western Slope hub, wine country
- Glenwood Springs, CO: Hot springs resort, canyon entrance
- Vail, CO: World-renowned ski resort, mountain village
- Denver, CO: Mile High City, major metro hub
- Limon, CO: High plains crossroads
- Hays, KS: Kansas plains, Fort Hays State University
- Salina, KS: Geographic center of the contiguous U.S.
- Topeka, KS: Kansas state capital
- Kansas City, MO/KS: Major Midwest hub, I-35 junction
- Columbia, MO: University of Missouri, midway point
- St. Louis, MO: Gateway Arch, I-55/I-64 junction
- Indianapolis, IN: Crossroads of America, I-65 junction
- Columbus, OH: Ohio state capital, I-71 junction
- Wheeling, WV: Ohio River crossing, Appalachian gateway
- Pittsburgh area, PA: I-76/I-79 junctions, steel city access
- Baltimore, MD: Eastern terminus, Inner Harbor
Colorado Mountain Segment: America's Most Challenging Interstate
Colorado's 451-mile segment of I-70 represents the most dramatic and challenging portion of any U.S. interstate. This section gains over 6,000 feet in elevation and features engineering achievements that rank among the world's most impressive mountain highways.
Glenwood Canyon (Mile 116-133)
Considered one of the greatest engineering achievements in American highway history, this 12.5-mile stretch took 12 years to build at a cost of $490 million. The highway threads through a canyon with 1,800-foot walls, featuring 40 bridges, numerous tunnels, and a design that preserves the Colorado River corridor. The Hanging Lake Tunnel (4,000+ feet) and multiple viaducts make this section susceptible to rockslides and closures.
Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel
At 11,158 feet, this 1.7-mile twin-bore tunnel is the highest vehicular tunnel in North America. The eastbound Johnson Tunnel and westbound Eisenhower Tunnel carry over 30,000 vehicles daily. Altitude sickness affects some drivers, and the tunnel frequently closes during blizzards. Expect delays during peak ski traffic when waits can exceed 2 hours.
Vail Pass (10,662 ft)
This 12-mile climb east of Vail reaches 10,662 feet and is notorious for chain laws, winter closures, and runaway truck situations. The pass features multiple runaway truck ramps and is one of the most avalanche-prone sections of any U.S. interstate.
Floyd Hill & Idaho Springs
The infamous Floyd Hill descent (Exit 248-244) drops 1,500 feet in 8 miles with a 6% grade. This section, combined with the Idaho Springs bottleneck, creates the worst ski traffic backups in Colorado. The ongoing $700 million expansion project aims to add a westbound peak-period shoulder lane.
Loveland Pass Alternative (US-6)
When the Eisenhower Tunnel closes, traffic diverts to Loveland Pass at 11,990 feet — one of the highest paved roads in America. This winding two-lane road with steep grades and hairpin turns is not recommended for trucks or trailers and adds significant travel time.
Check Colorado Mountain Conditions
Monitor Eisenhower Tunnel, Vail Pass, and Floyd Hill cameras before heading into the Colorado high country.
VIEW COLORADO I-70 CAMERAS →Utah Desert Segment
Utah's 232-mile stretch of I-70 crosses some of the most remote and spectacular desert terrain in America. From Cove Fort to the Colorado border, the highway traverses the San Rafael Swell, offering views of canyon country that rival any national park.
Utah I-70 Features
- San Rafael Swell: 70 miles without services, dramatic red rock formations
- Spotted Wolf Canyon: Engineering through ancient geology
- Green River: Last major services before Colorado desert crossing
- Thompson Springs: Access point for Moab and Arches National Park
Utah I-70 Warning: The 110-mile stretch from Salina to Green River has extremely limited services. Flash floods can close the highway during monsoon season (July-September). Cell service is spotty throughout the San Rafael Swell.
Major Interstate Interchanges
I-70 intersects with numerous major interstates, creating critical traffic nodes that require camera monitoring.
Western Interchanges
- Cove Fort, UT (I-15): Connection to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City
- Denver, CO (I-25): North-south Front Range corridor junction
- Denver, CO (I-76): Northeast corridor to Nebraska
Heartland Interchanges
- Kansas City (I-35): Major north-south trade corridor, complex interchange system
- Kansas City (I-29/I-35): Multiple overlapping routes, heavy truck traffic
- St. Louis (I-55): Chicago-Memphis corridor crossing
- St. Louis (I-64): East-west urban connector
- St. Louis (I-44): Historic Route 66 corridor to Oklahoma
Eastern Interchanges
- Indianapolis (I-65): Chicago-Louisville corridor, Crossroads of America
- Indianapolis (I-74): Cincinnati connection
- Columbus (I-71): Cleveland-Cincinnati corridor
- Breezewood, PA (I-76): Pennsylvania Turnpike connection, infamous stoplight interchange
- Hancock, MD (I-68): Access to I-81 corridor
- Baltimore (I-95): East Coast corridor connection
Monitor Key Interchanges
Track real-time conditions at every major I-70 interchange from Denver to Baltimore with live camera feeds.
VIEW INTERCHANGE CAMERAS →Traffic Challenges by Region
Colorado Ski Traffic Corridor
The I-70 mountain corridor between Denver and the ski resorts experiences the most predictable traffic nightmare in America:
- Friday Westbound: 2:00-7:00 PM — Denver residents heading to ski areas create 3-4 hour backups
- Sunday Eastbound: 12:00-8:00 PM — Return traffic from ski areas backs up from Eisenhower Tunnel to Idaho Springs
- Peak Delays: Presidents' Day weekend, Christmas week, spring break weeks
- Avoid: Friday afternoons westbound, Sunday afternoons eastbound during ski season (November-April)
Ski Traffic Strategy: Leave Denver before 6:00 AM Friday or after 8:00 PM. Return Sunday before 9:00 AM or after 8:00 PM. The I-70 CDOT cameras at Eisenhower Tunnel, Idaho Springs, and Floyd Hill are essential for timing your travel.
Indianapolis 500 Traffic
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway creates massive traffic impacts on I-70:
- Indianapolis 500 (Memorial Day weekend): 300,000+ spectators impact I-70 for days
- Brickyard 400: NASCAR event brings additional regional traffic
- Race Day: Exit closures and traffic control from early morning through evening
St. Louis Bottleneck
The I-70/I-64/I-44/I-55 interchange complex in downtown St. Louis creates consistent congestion:
- Poplar Street Bridge: Critical Mississippi River crossing, frequent backups
- Stadium Traffic: Cardinals games and events at the dome impact flow
- Construction: Ongoing infrastructure projects in the aging interchange system
Peak Traffic Times by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Morning Rush | Evening Rush | Special Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 7:00-9:00 AM eastbound | 4:00-6:30 PM westbound | Ski traffic Fri/Sun |
| Kansas City | 7:00-9:00 AM | 4:00-6:30 PM | Chiefs/Royals games |
| St. Louis | 6:30-9:00 AM | 3:30-6:30 PM | Cardinals games |
| Indianapolis | 7:00-9:00 AM | 4:00-6:00 PM | Indy 500 week |
| Columbus | 7:00-9:00 AM | 4:00-6:00 PM | Ohio State games |
Weather Hazards
Colorado Rocky Mountains
- Blizzards: October through May — Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass close multiple times yearly
- Chain Laws: Traction law (Code 15) and chain law (Code 16) enforced during storms
- Avalanches: Copper Mountain to Vail areas prone to slide closures
- Rockslides: Glenwood Canyon closes periodically for debris removal
Kansas & Great Plains
- Ice Storms: December through February — bridges freeze first
- Dust Storms: High winds create zero-visibility conditions
- Tornadoes: Spring severe weather season (April-June)
- Ground Blizzards: Wind-driven snow drifts across open prairie
Appalachian Region (WV, PA, MD)
- Fog: Dense valley fog, especially fall mornings
- Mountain Snow: Sideling Hill and other passes accumulate quickly
- Black Ice: Shaded mountain curves freeze unexpectedly
Using TrafficVision.Live for I-70
TrafficVision.Live aggregates traffic cameras from all 10 state DOTs along I-70, providing comprehensive corridor monitoring through a single interface. With 135,000+ cameras from 600+ sources across 130+ countries, the platform gives you complete coverage of every I-70 segment.
Search for I-70 Cameras
Type "I-70" in the search bar to find all cameras along the interstate, or search by city name for specific segments.
Check Mountain Conditions First
Before any Colorado mountain trip, check Eisenhower Tunnel, Vail Pass, and Floyd Hill cameras for real-time road conditions.
Monitor Key Interchanges
Use cameras at Kansas City, St. Louis, and Indianapolis interchanges to time your travel around congestion.
Build a Custom Route
Create a custom route along I-70 to monitor every camera on your specific journey with one click.
How many states does I-70 pass through?
Interstate 70 passes through 10 states: Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, covering 2,153 miles.
What is the highest point on I-70?
The Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel in Colorado at 11,158 feet is the highest point on the Interstate Highway System. When the tunnel closes, traffic diverts to Loveland Pass at 11,990 feet.
How do I avoid I-70 ski traffic in Colorado?
Leave Denver before 6:00 AM or after 8:00 PM on Fridays. Return Sunday before 9:00 AM or after 8:00 PM. Check CDOT cameras at Eisenhower Tunnel, Idaho Springs, and Floyd Hill before departing.
Why is Breezewood, PA on I-70 famous?
Breezewood is known as the "Town of Motels" and is infamous for being the only place on the Interstate Highway System where travelers must pass through a traffic light. The I-70/I-76 connection requires driving through a commercial strip.
Can I monitor I-70 cameras from all 10 states in one place?
Yes. TrafficVision.Live aggregates cameras from all 10 state DOTs along I-70 into a single interactive map. Search "I-70" to view the full corridor or zoom to any segment.
State Guides Along I-70
- Utah Traffic Cameras
- Colorado Traffic Cameras
- Kansas Traffic Cameras
- Missouri Traffic Cameras
- Illinois Traffic Cameras
- Indiana Traffic Cameras
- Ohio Traffic Cameras
- West Virginia Traffic Cameras
- Pennsylvania Traffic Cameras
- Maryland Traffic Cameras
Other Interstate Guides
- I-95 Traffic Cameras (East Coast)
- I-10 Traffic Cameras (Southern)
- I-80 Traffic Cameras (Transcontinental)
Monitor I-70 Traffic Now
Access live cameras along all 2,153 miles of Interstate 70. Check mountain passes, monitor interchanges, and plan your route with real-time visual confirmation.
VIEW ALL I-70 CAMERAS →