If you’re waking up in the Valley today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, and thinking about a quick hop across town, you might want to double-check that GPS. Traffic in Phoenix is basically a contact sport lately. Between the never-ending freeway widenings and those "emergency" utility repairs that seem to pop up like weeds, getting from A to B is rarely a straight line.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. You've probably noticed that the major phoenix road closures today aren't just limited to one side of town. We are currently in the thick of several massive ADOT projects that are hitting the East Valley and North Phoenix particularly hard this weekend. If you’re heading toward Gilbert or trying to navigate the Northwest Valley, there are some specific spots that are going to give you a headache.
The Big Freeway Hits for Sunday
The heavy hitter for this weekend is the Eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway). If you are trying to get through the Southeast Valley, just know that the eastbound lanes are fully closed between Williams Field and Higley roads.
This isn't a "one lane open" situation; it’s a total shutdown. This is for pavement maintenance, and they aren't planning to throw the gates open until 5 a.m. tomorrow morning (Monday). To make things even more annoying, the on-ramps at Gilbert Road, Lindsey Road, and Val Vista Drive are also taped off.
Where to go instead?
Don't bother trying to sneak through on the access roads if they look crowded. Most locals are being funneled toward Germann Road or Williams Field Road to reach Higley. If you’re coming from further out, honestly, just take the Eastbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway). It’s a bit out of the way, but it beats sitting in a 3-mile crawl behind a line of orange cones.
Another spot to watch out for is the Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) in the Northwest Valley. It’s narrowed down to two lanes in both directions between 19th and 31st avenues. It’s for the widening project—which, yeah, we know has been going on forever. It’s supposed to wrap up by 5 p.m. today, so if you’re heading to a late Sunday dinner, it might be clear. But for the midday brunch crowd? Expect it to be a mess.
Phoenix Road Closures Today: The Surface Street Scramble
It isn't just the big freeways. Sometimes the neighborhood closures are the ones that actually make you late for work.
Today, Sunday, specifically has a few special event closures downtown that might catch you off guard.
📖 Related: Nashville Bar Closing Time Explained (Simply)
- 15th Street is partially closed between Jackson and Jefferson Streets, and also between Jefferson and Washington Streets. This is for a special event, so expect some heavy foot traffic and police directing cars.
- Over on 16th Street, there’s utility work happening between University Drive and Riverview Drive. That one is slated to stick around for a while—through the 29th, actually.
- 10th Street is also feeling the squeeze near University Drive for similar utility work.
It’s easy to think, "Oh, it’s Sunday, it’ll be quiet." But in Phoenix, Sunday is prime time for crews to get in, tear up a lane, and try to be out before the Monday morning rush. If you’re driving through the 19th Avenue and McDowell area, just stay alert. There are partial restrictions there for utility work that have been lingering all week.
The I-17 Situation and What’s Next
While the massive I-17 Improvement Project up toward Black Canyon City is mostly in its "maintenance" phase after the big milestones last year, we are still seeing nightly restrictions.
Starting tonight at 7 p.m., Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane between Anthem Way and SR 74. If you’re coming back from a weekend trip to Sedona or Flagstaff, try to beat that 7 p.m. window. Otherwise, you’ll be merging into a single lane right when everyone else is trying to get home.
The Pioneer Road ramps are also a revolving door of closures right now. Tonight, the southbound I-17 on- and off-ramps at Pioneer Road are scheduled to close at 7 p.m. They’ll stay closed until 6 a.m. tomorrow.
Navigating the Chaos
It’s a lot to keep track of. One thing that helps is the AZ511 app, which is generally more accurate than some of the older GPS systems when it comes to specific lane closures. Also, keep an eye on those overhead message boards. They usually give you at least a mile's notice before you’re trapped in a "right lane must turn right" situation you didn't plan for.
Look, construction is just the price we pay for living in a city that’s growing this fast. The I-10 Broadway Curve project finally wrapped up last year, and it’s been a godsend for the airport run, but now the focus has shifted to the 202 and the 101.
Pro Tip for Today: If you have to move between the East Valley and the West Valley, try to use the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. It’s been relatively clear of major construction this weekend compared to the older loops.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the 202: If your route involves the Santan Freeway Eastbound, exit at Gilbert Road and use Germann Road as your primary bypass.
- Avoid 15th St Downtown: If you're heading to a game or a show, park a few blocks further west than usual to avoid the special event blockades.
- Plan your North Valley Return: If you are traveling south from Anthem tonight, aim to pass SR 74 before 7 p.m. to avoid the lane drop.
- Monitor Live Alerts: Use AZ511.com specifically for the "Law Enforcement Activity" alerts that often cause unplanned closures, like the one we saw near Pinnacle Peak Road last night.
Stay safe out there and give yourself an extra 20 minutes. You’re probably going to need it.