If you plan on driving around Ventura County soon, get ready to hit the brakes. Multiple huge construction projects are happening right now on some of the busiest roads. This means drivers should expect serious traffic delays over the weekend and rolling into the week of December 15. The state and the county are busy with long-term projects that are making local commutes a headache.
🛣️ The Main Trouble Spots
These construction and roadwork projects are managed by a few different groups. The California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, is handling some big ones, and the County of Ventura is also running several long-term jobs.
The biggest delays you need to know about are happening in a few key areas across the county. These are not just quick fixes. These are massive, ongoing projects that will be around for a while.
State Route 118 in Moorpark: This major road is undergoing construction. Drivers in Moorpark who use the 118 will definitely run into slow zones and backups.
State Route 232 in El Rio: This road is another major pain point. El Rio drivers trying to navigate State Route 232 should prepare for delays and possibly tricky detours.
Ventura Road in Oxnard: In Oxnard, construction is hitting Ventura Road. Since this is a heavily traveled local road, delays here can really pile up, affecting countless drivers just trying to get across town.
⏰ When to Expect the Mess
The road closures and construction hours are changing all the time, which makes things even harder for drivers. Authorities have said that they are using a mix of overnight closures and daytime work depending on the specific project.
The problem with this back and forth schedule is that you can't rely on the same route or the same timing every day. A lane that was open during the day might be completely shut down at night, forcing last-minute route changes for people working late or traveling early. The fact that the closures "vary between the different projects" means everyone needs to check traffic maps before leaving the house, no matter the hour.
⚠️ How to Avoid a Traffic Meltdown
The message here is simple: if you are heading out this weekend or next week, especially near Moorpark, El Rio, or Oxnard, you need to factor in extra time. These delays are real, and hitting heavy construction zones can turn a short drive into a miserable crawl. Drivers should look for different routes if possible and try to avoid the peak hours near these construction spots. For the local agencies, this roadwork is necessary, but for the local drivers, it is just a frustrating mess that is slowing everyone down.