I-80 (Interstate 80) Road Conditions
I-80 State Weather Links
I-80 Road Conditions for December 22, 2025
Overall I-80 summary (construction + ramp closures only): The most significant confirmed I-80 impacts today include (1) long-term ramp closures in California at Baxter, (2) long-term ramp closures at the I-35/I-80 interchange area in the Des Moines Metro (Iowa), (3) major interchange ramp closures beginning tonight at the Center Street (IL-53) interchange in Joliet, Illinois, (4) ongoing lane/traffic shifts tied to active work in Utah (Tooele County area), and (5) multi-segment long-term work-zone lane/width restrictions in Nebraska. In Pennsylvania, a long-term on-ramp closure to I-80 eastbound from PA-940 (Exit 273) remains in effect through year-end.
I-80 California Road Conditions
Caltrans District 3 (Sierra Corridor) – I-80 construction update
- Baxter (Placer County): Baxter on- and off-ramps on I-80 are closed until further notice. Detour: motorists detour eastbound to Drum Forebay and return westbound on I-80 to access Baxter.
I-80 Utah Road Conditions
UDOT Traffic (Utah 511) |
SR-36 & I-80 (Tooele County) project updates
- Tooele County (SR-36 / Lake Point area): Project updates indicate eastbound I-80 is reduced to one lane and shifted around active work; a westbound lane closure opens by 5 p.m. daily (lane configuration changes are tied to active work in this corridor).
I-80 Nebraska Road Conditions
Nebraska DOT – Interstate & State Highway Construction & Detour Report (PDF)
- Lincoln area (westbound): I-80 westbound between Exit 399 (Lincoln Municipal Airport) and Exit 382 (Milford) – nighttime construction work with intermittent lane closures; bridge work and guardrail repairs; 10-foot width limit; truck speed limit 55 mph.
- Lincoln area (eastbound): I-80 eastbound between the US-6 to I-80 link (east of Goehner area) and Exit 395 (NW 48th Street near Lincoln) – nighttime construction work with intermittent lane closures; bridge work and guardrail repairs; 12-foot width limit; truck speed limit 55 mph.
- Lexington ↔ Kearney corridor: I-80 both directions between MM 247 (east of Lexington) and Exit 263 (Odessa / west of Kearney) – long-term road construction; roadway reduced to one lane; 10-foot width limit; anticipated completion April 2026.
- Lexington ↔ Kearney corridor: I-80 both directions between MM 252 (east of Lexington) and Exit 267 (Kearney / west of Kearney) – long-term road construction with head-to-head traffic; 10-foot width limit; anticipated completion April 2026.
- Overton area: I-80 both directions between Overton Link and MM 249 – long-term work due to electrical/lighting construction with intermittent lane closures.
I-80 Iowa Road Conditions
Iowa DOT – Hickman Road Interchange Construction (Des Moines area) |
Iowa 511
- Des Moines Metro (I-35 northbound / I-80 eastbound movement): NB I-35 / EB I-80 University Avenue on-ramp is closed (expected through end of 2025).
- Des Moines Metro: Hickman Road off-ramp is closed (expected through end of 2025).
I-80 Illinois Road Conditions
I-80 Will County – Current lane/ramp closures (official project traffic alerts)
- Joliet area (Will County): I-80 ramps at the Center Street (IL-53) interchange are scheduled to close starting after the evening rush today (Dec 22, 2025) as part of reconstruction work.
I-80 Pennsylvania Road Conditions
PennDOT – Extended ramp-closure notice (PA-940 to I-80 EB) |
511PA
- Carbon County / White Haven (Exit 273): PA-940 on-ramp to I-80 eastbound is closed through December 31, 2025 to support bridge-related construction and an upcoming traffic shift.
I-80 Road Conditions Overview
In the western mountain states on I-80 (CA, NV, UT, WY), winter brings heavy snowfall, chain/traction requirements, high-wind restrictions, and occasional multi-day closures—especially over Sierra Nevada passes, the Bonneville Salt Flats, Parley’s Canyon, and the Continental Divide. On I-80 in the Great Plains (NE, IA), blizzards and drifting snow can trigger short-term closures or “travel not advised” alerts, but the flat terrain lets plows clear the road quickly.
In the Midwest (IL, IN, OH), lake-effect snow and ice storms may cause brief whiteouts or crash-related stoppages, yet dense populations ensure fast reopenings. In the Northeast (PA, NJ), forested highlands and sudden snow squalls can lead to pileups and occasional shutdowns, while heavy commuter traffic around Philadelphia and New York keeps speeds down year-round.
Regional Hazards Along I-80
Nearly 2,900 miles coast-to-coast through 11 states
Mountain West:
Heavy winter snow (e.g. Donner Summit averages 30 ft/year)
Temporary closures or chain requirements
High Plains (WY, NE):
Blizzard conditions, fierce crosswinds
Ground blizzards and whiteouts
Great Lakes Corridor (IN, OH, PA):
Sudden lake-effect snow squalls
Visibility can drop to near zero
Midwest Summers:
Severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, occasional tornadoes
These regional hazards highlight how wildly conditions can change along I-80. From deep snowpack in the Sierra Nevada to blizzard-driven whiteouts on the high plains, each segment demands awareness of its local perils. Summer storms in the Midwest add another layer of unpredictability, making I-80 a corridor of many faces.
I-80 Mountain Passes and Rock-Slide Areas
Crosses several high passes: Donner Summit (CA), Parley’s Summit (UT), Wyoming plateaus, Pennsylvania highlands
Winter challenges: steep climbs, icy surfaces, chain controls
Year-round risks: fog, high-wind gusts
Rock/mudslides: hillside cuts can block lanes after rain or freeze-thaw
Mountain segments of I-80 pack in elevation changes and geological hazards. Steep grades and narrow canyons make these stretches prone to snow buildup and sudden rockfalls. Even in summer, fog or gusty winds can catch drivers off-guard, underscoring the need for vigilance on these high-altitude sections.
