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Interstate 40 (I-40) Road Conditions and Weather

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I-40 Road Conditions

I-40 Road Conditions for November 21, 2025

Summary: Interstate 40 is open end-to-end today, but there are notable construction and ramp closures in California and Oklahoma and long-term lane reductions at the Tennessee–North Carolina border. Other I-40 states are not reporting any all-day mainline closures or ramp shutdowns in their latest DOT/511 construction summaries.

  • California: Daytime paving and slab-replacement work near Newberry Springs, Barstow, and Needles, plus a long-term closure of the westbound John Wilkie Rest Area near Fenner.
  • Texas (Amarillo area): Westbound I-40 has a right-lane closure between Adkisson Road and Arnot Road, and shoulder closures between Arthur Street and Ross Street for edge repairs.
  • Oklahoma (OKC metro and El Reno): Multiple I-40 ramps at Anderson Road and Douglas Boulevard are closed, and an off-ramp from US-81 to eastbound I-40 at El Reno is closed; several rural segments are reduced to one lane each way near Hydro, Erick, and Okemah.
  • Tennessee–North Carolina border: I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge operates in a long-term temporary pattern with one narrow lane in each direction and reduced speeds while reconstruction continues.
  • Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee (elsewhere), and North Carolina (elsewhere): No all-day I-40 closures or ramp shutdowns are listed in current statewide construction summaries; any short-term or incident-related restrictions appear only on live DOT/511 maps.

I-40 California Road Conditions

Caltrans shows several active construction closures on I-40 in the Mojave Desert today. The freeway itself remains open, but expect lane reductions and one rest-area closure.

  • Newberry Springs to Barstow: Westbound I-40 between National Trails Highway and Montara Road has daytime paving work with lane closures scheduled roughly from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Needles (D Street–Park Road): Both directions of I-40 near downtown Needles have daytime slab replacement work, with individual lanes closed from about 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • John Wilkie Rest Area (Fenner, westbound): The westbound John Wilkie Rest Area remains closed long-term for emergency work; ramps into the rest area are closed, so westbound I-40 traffic cannot access this facility.

Caltrans QuickMap – California I-40 conditions

I-40 Arizona Road Conditions

No all-day I-40 ramp or mainline closures are listed in current ADOT/511 construction summaries. Construction at the West Kingman system interchange affects traffic with lane shifts rather than full-time I-40 ramp closures.

  • West Kingman Interchange (I-40/US 93): A multi-year project is underway to build a new system interchange; I-40 is kept open using staged work and shifting lanes.
  • Elsewhere in Arizona: No I-40 entrance or exit ramps are listed as closed all day today in statewide restriction lists; any short-duration lane closures are posted on the live 511 map.

AZ511 – Arizona DOT traveler information

I-40 New Mexico Road Conditions

The latest New Mexico DOT information does not list any I-40 mainline closures or all-day ramp closures between the Arizona line and the Texas line today.

  • Gallup–Albuquerque–Santa Rosa corridor: No I-40 closures or named work zones are shown in static road-work summaries for today.
  • Rest of New Mexico I-40: Any short-term lane drops or incident-related closures appear only on the NMRoads/511 live map.

NMRoads – New Mexico 511

I-40 Texas Road Conditions

I-40 across the Texas Panhandle is open, with localized edge-repair work around Amarillo.

  • West of Amarillo (Adkisson Road to Arnot Road): The right lane of westbound I-40 is scheduled to be closed for edge repair operations through this week.
  • Central Amarillo (Arthur Street to Ross Street): The right shoulder in both directions of I-40 is scheduled to be closed for edge repairs; all travel lanes remain open.
  • Elsewhere in Texas: No all-day I-40 ramp closures or long-term work zones are listed in current statewide construction summaries.

DriveTexas – TxDOT road conditions

I-40 Oklahoma Road Conditions

Oklahoma has the most significant I-40 construction impacts today, especially in and near Oklahoma City.

  • Hydro (Caddo County, mm 89–96): Eastbound and westbound I-40 are narrowed to a single lane in each direction just east of SH-58 for pavement rehabilitation.
  • Erick (Beckham County, at SH-30): I-40 is reduced to one lane in each direction near the SH-30 interchange for a bridge rehabilitation project.
  • Okemah area (Okfuskee County): I-40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction over the North Canadian River between SH-56 and SH-48 for bridge work.
  • Midwest City – Anderson Road Interchange:
    • Eastbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at Anderson Road remain closed as part of a multi-phase interchange project through fall 2025.
    • Westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at Anderson Road are additionally closed through Friday, November 21, 2025, for ongoing construction; mainline I-40 stays open with lane shifts.
  • Midwest City – Douglas Boulevard Interchange:
    • The ramp from southbound Douglas Boulevard to eastbound I-40 is closed for construction.
    • Traffic exiting eastbound I-40 at Douglas Boulevard cannot turn north onto Douglas Boulevard because of bridge and approach work.
  • El Reno – SH-66 / US-81 / I-40 Interchange: At the SH-66/US-81 roundabout project, the US-81 off-ramp to eastbound I-40 is closed through 2025; SH-66 and US-81 are narrowed to one lane in each direction near the interchange.
  • Oklahoma City mainline (Town Center Drive to I-240): I-40 is reduced to two lanes in each direction with lane shifts; ODOT advisories note that short-duration ramp closures may occur at Douglas Boulevard and Town Center Drive during this long-term bridge and pavement project.

OKTraffic – Oklahoma 511 map

I-40 Arkansas Road Conditions

Arkansas DOT’s latest closure and lane-closure reports do not show any I-40 mainline closures or all-day ramp closures today.

  • North Little Rock – I-40/I-430: A ramp from westbound I-40 to southbound I-430 was closed for emergency repairs on November 16, 2025, but was reported to reopen the same evening and is not listed as closed in current summaries.
  • Rest of Arkansas I-40: No I-40 lane or ramp closures are listed for today in statewide construction summaries; any short-term restrictions are available on IDriveArkansas.

IDriveArkansas – Arkansas road conditions

I-40 Tennessee Road Conditions

I-40 is open across Tennessee today, but the stretch through the Smoky Mountains at the North Carolina border remains in a long-term work zone with lane reductions.

  • Pigeon River Gorge (Hartford area, near Exit 451): The section that was heavily damaged in 2024 and later affected by a 2025 rockslide now carries traffic in a temporary configuration with one narrow lane in each direction and reduced speeds; full reconstruction is expected to take several years.
  • West and central Tennessee (Memphis–Nashville–Knoxville): Recent TDOT bulletins showed only time-limited lane and ramp closures (for example, near Exit 42/SR 222 and at the I-40/I-440 interchange) through November 19; no I-40 mainline or ramp closures are listed as continuing into November 21 in current static construction reports.

TDOT SmartWay – Tennessee traffic and cameras

I-40 North Carolina Road Conditions

North Carolina’s I-40 is open statewide today, with the main ongoing constraint at the far western end where the highway connects to Tennessee.

  • Pigeon River Gorge (NC/TN state line): NCDOT reports that the 20-mile stretch that collapsed in 2024 has been reopened in a temporary configuration with one lane in each direction, a narrow median barrier, and lower speed limits while permanent reconstruction continues.
  • Orange County – Exit 261 (Old NC-86): The eastbound off-ramp from I-40 to Old NC-86, closed for reconstruction from October 19 to November 10, 2025, is now open and not listed as closed today.
  • Elsewhere in North Carolina: The latest statewide construction summaries do not show any I-40 mainline closures or ramp closures for November 21, 2025; short-term incidents are handled via the DriveNC live map.

DriveNC – NCDOT traffic and travel map

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I-40 Road Conditions Overview

I-40 passing through northern Arizona near Flagstaff (high elevation region). Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major east–west highway spanning eight states from California to North Carolina, covering about 2,556 miles. As one of America’s longest interstates, I-40 connects the Pacific and Atlantic via deserts, mountains, plains, and major cities. 

Interstate 40 spans over 2,500 miles across eight states from California to North Carolina. Road and weather conditions vary greatly along the route — from desert heat to mountain snow.

Regional Weather Hazards Along I-40

  • California & Western Arizona: Summer brings extreme heat (over 110°F) and dust storms. Winters are mild in the lowlands, but Flagstaff gets heavy snow. Be ready for sudden monsoon storms in July–September.

  • Eastern Arizona & New Mexico: I-40 stays at high elevation (up to 7,300 ft). Expect winter snow, strong crosswinds, and freezing nights. Summer days are warm, with thunderstorms possible.

  • Texas Panhandle & Oklahoma: This area is known for tornadoes in spring, ice storms in winter, and high winds year-round. Roads are flat but can get slick quickly.

  • Arkansas & Tennessee: Hot, humid summers with daily storms. In winter, ice storms and black ice can hit bridges and hills. Tornadoes are possible in spring.

  • Eastern TN & Western NC: The Appalachians bring steep grades, snow, fog, and rockslides. Conditions change fast — especially near Asheville and the Pigeon River Gorge.

  • Eastern NC (Raleigh to Wilmington): Summer storms and hurricanes can flood roads. Winters are mild but ice storms can occur every few years.

✔ Always check local forecasts and be ready for snow, fog, wind, or flooding along your route.

Current Road Conditions & Work Zones on I-40

Road conditions along I-40 can shift dramatically across its 2,500+ mile route due to aging infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, and regional weather damage. While some stretches offer smooth travel, others are rough or under construction. Here’s what to expect:

🛣️ Desert & Southwest (CA to NM)

  • Western I-40, especially in California and Arizona, often has worn pavement, heat cracks, and surface ruts, particularly between Barstow and Flagstaff.

  • Summer heat can degrade asphalt rapidly, and wind-blown sand may cause erosion or debris on the road.

  • Be alert for blowing dust advisories and single-lane closures for emergency repairs.

🚧 Urban Construction Zones

  • Cities like Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, and Raleigh frequently have major construction projects, including:

    • Bridge repairs

    • Interchange expansions

    • Resurfacing projects

  • Expect nighttime lane closures, narrowed shoulders, and reduced speed limits.

  • In Oklahoma City, for example, a multi-month bridge rehab at I-44 causes major daytime slowdowns and overnight closures.

  • Always merge early and obey posted signs — fines double in work zones, and traffic can back up fast during peak hours.

⛰️ Mountain Pass & Rockslide Areas

  • In the Smoky Mountains (TN/NC border) and around Black Mountain, I-40 sees:

    • Rockslide repair projects

    • Lane reductions in tunnels and curves

    • Brake check pull-offs for trucks

  • Fog and wet pavement increase risks, especially on curvy downhill grades.

  • In Arizona and New Mexico, high-elevation roadwork can be delayed due to snow or high winds — always check before crossing mountain zones.

❄️ Seasonal Maintenance & Closures

  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Expect plowing, salting, and rolling closures during snow or ice storms, especially from Flagstaff to Albuquerque and through Tennessee and North Carolina.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Flood repair work is common in low-lying areas of eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and central NC.

  • Summer (May–Sep): Asphalt resurfacing, guardrail replacements, and bridge maintenance often cause daytime lane closures and slower speed zones.

  • Fall (Oct–Nov): Some repaving continues, but overall work decreases as colder weather sets in.

High-Risk Zones & Traffic Hazards

  • Albuquerque, OKC, Nashville, Memphis: These urban areas see heavy merging, frequent crashes, and construction delays.

  • Tennessee Stretch: I-40’s entire path across TN is one of the most dangerous, with steep grades and dense traffic from Memphis to Knoxville.

  • Smoky Mountains (TN/NC): Sharp curves, fog, and wildlife crossings increase accident risk. Drive slowly and cautiously.

  • Long Rural Stretches: Between Barstow, Gallup, and Amarillo, driver fatigue, dust storms, and lack of lighting can make night driving hazardous.

✔ Stay alert and avoid speeding. Know your location and plan breaks ahead.

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