This Sunday, tens of thousands of fans will descend on Santa Clara for the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium — and for many Bay Area residents, that means gridlock stretching well beyond the stadium’s gates.
Traffic experts and local officials say travelers should expect congestion, road closures and delays, but they are also offering tips on how to get around safely as The Big Game approaches.
“Honestly, if you’re looking to avoid traffic, just stay out of the Santa Clara region,” said Doug Johnson, a spokesperson for AAA in Northern California.
Large crowds are expected across the Bay Area during Super Bowl week, according to a spokesperson for the city of Santa Clara.
City officials say Santa Clara will see significant closures, especially around Levi’s Stadium.
Santa Clara closures include:
- Stars and Stripes Drive through Feb. 22
- Tasman Drive between Great America Parkway and Calle Del Sol through Feb. 10
- Great America Parkway between Bunker Hill Lane and Patrick Henry Drive, and Old Ironside and Old Glory Lane, on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8
San Jose closures include:
- Humboldt Street between Seventh and 10th streets for team practice sessions, several hours a day through Feb. 7
- Eastbound San Carlos Street and southbound Market Street near the Convention Center through Feb. 9
Through Feb. 10, San Francisco will also see road closures around Yerba Buena Gardens and Moscone Center for the Super Bowl Experience.
Given the influx of visitors and closures, Santa Clara officials expect heavy traffic around the stadium. Public safety officials warn that congestion will extend well beyond the city.
“It’s gonna be all over,” said Adib Zeid, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division. “If you’re not going to the Super Bowl, if there’s no need for you to be in that area, we would recommend that people avoid the area.”
Johnson, who regularly attends 49ers games, said he expects Sunday’s southbound traffic to mirror typical game days — especially heavy along Highway 101 on the Peninsula and on highways 680 and 880, particularly around Mission Boulevard.
For those who can’t avoid the region, experts offer several suggestions.
First, allow extra travel time. “Plan your trip in advance and … expect delays,” Zeid said.
Johnson also urged drivers to keep in mind that many visitors may be unfamiliar with local roads, which could slow traffic even further. In some cases, surface streets may be a better option than highways near major bottlenecks.
To avoid traffic altogether, public transit may be the best option. VTA will run light rail and bus service to Levi’s Stadium, including connections from BART and Caltrain stations. (You can check out our full Super Bowl transportation guide for more information.)
Finally, while many fans may be celebrating with a few drinks, officials stress that drinking and driving poses a serious safety risk. Nearly half of traffic fatalities around the 2024 Super Bowl involved alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They recommend using public transit or designating a driver.
“Have a plan. Don’t drive drunk,” Johnson said.
For more information about closures and transit options, visit sfbayareasuperbowl.com/getting-around.
Grace Hase contributed to this report.
The Mercury News
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