Labor Day weekend expected to clog I-15 at Nevada-California border

Labor Day weekend is expected to bring heavy traffic to Interstate 15 at the Nevada‑California border, according to the Regional Transportation Commission. Thousands of motorists heading to Las Vegas for the holiday will encounter the heaviest congestion on southbound I‑15 as travelers return to California on Monday. The RTC warned that travel times through the corridor may increase significantly during this period. “Travel times through the area may increase significantly during this period,” the agency said in a statement. Peak delays are most likely between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. near the state line. Visitors planning to depart Las Vegas for Southern California on Monday are advised to avoid those hours by leaving earlier or later in the day. For up‑to‑date conditions, drivers can consult SeeingOrangeNV.com, which provides real‑time traffic data, construction updates and alerts. The RTC also urged Southern Nevadans traveling to California for the weekend to anticipate increased congestion on northbound I‑15 as they return to the Las Vegas Valley on Monday. Those motorists should plan ahead and allow extra travel time. **Fuel costs** AAA projects that road‑trip expenses between Southern Nevada and California will be higher this year than in 2025. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Las Vegas Valley stood at $4.80 on Friday, 98 cents above the same period last year. In Southern California, the lowest average gas prices fall between $5.60 and $5.70 per gallon in the San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange County markets, according to AAA—$1.10 more than a year ago. **Travel preparation** AAA recommends that motorists inspect tire tread and inflation, verify battery condition and check all fluid levels before departing. An emergency kit containing water, snacks, a first‑aid set, a flashlight and jumper cables is also advised, with extra water highlighted as essential given typical late‑summer temperatures ranging from 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. During the previous Labor Day weekend, AAA assisted 4,400 Nevada members with flat tires, dead batteries and emergency towing. **Airport parking alternative** Residents flying from Harry Reid International Airport can use an RTC park‑and‑ride service to reduce airport parking fees. Free parking for up to seven days is available at the South Strip Transit Terminal off Sunset Road and Gillespie Street. From there, travelers may board Route 108 or the newly launched Red Line—the Maryland Parkway bus rapid transit route—to reach the terminal. Parking is allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and the RTC asks anyone intending to leave a vehicle for more than a day to notify them by calling 702‑676‑1849. **Impaired‑driving prevention** Nevada’s Zero Fatalities program is offering discounted Lyft rides on Labor Day to discourage impaired driving. Starting at noon on the holiday and continuing until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the first 400 riders who enter the promo code LBRSAFE26 in the Lyft app will receive $5 off a single ride. “The Zero Fatalities program is committed to reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries by encouraging safe driving behaviors and educating Nevadans about the value of making responsible choices behind the wheel,” the group said in a statement.