RTO commute: How’s traffic as state workers return to offices across Sacramento?
_20260701134834..png "Westbound Highway 50 near 26th Street in midtown Sacramento showed early signs of congestion Wednesday, the first day state workers were set to return to the office for the majority of their workweek. Many other key freeways leading into the capital region remained fairly clear early Wednesday.")
Traffic during the first morning that thousands of California state workers were required to return to Sacramento-area offices four days a week appeared light in the early commute Wednesday.
Wednesday marked the first day many state workers were required to increase their in-office schedule from two days a week to four under an executive order Gov. Gavin Newsom issued in March 2025.
There are more than 108,000 state workers statewide, with about 40% of the state’s civil service workforce working in the capital region. It was unclear how many of those workers are eligible for telework.
As of about 7 a.m., Caltrans cameras showed key commuter routes — including northbound Highway 99 and Interstate 5 near the Sacramento-Elk Grove border — flowing freely. However, westbound Highway 50 near 26th Street, just west of the Highway 99 interchange, was beginning to show signs of congestion.
Starting about 7:30 a.m., familiar traffic patterns returned across Sacramento, though congestion did not appear higher than the past few months.
Heavier traffic was spotted along southbound Interstate 5 from I-80 to Richards Boulevard through South Natomas. Vehicles were reported traveling less than 30 mph near the interchange with I-80.
Northbound Highway 99 near Florin Road was slowing to about 23 mph near Florin Road and westbound vehicles on the Capital City Freeway were slowing to near 20 mph just after the split in Del Paso Park. As of 8 a.m., eastbound vehicles on Highway 50 in West Sacramento were in slow and go traffic near West Capitol Avenue.
Major routes that remained free-flowing as of 9 a.m. included:
- Westbound Highway 50 near Folsom
- Southbound Interstate 80 between Highway 65 and the Capital City Freeway split
Transportation experts have predicted the return-to-office order will increase traffic volumes but not double the number of vehicle miles traveled on Sacramento-area roads. They also expect an increase in public transit ridership as more state employees commute to the office.
It also was unclear how many state workers would commute to Sacramento-area offices Wednesday. While the governor’s order applies to most executive branch departments, some employees received exemptions because they live at least 50 miles from their assigned office, lack available workspace or perform duties that allow continued telework. The state has not disclosed how many workers received exemptions.
The number of commuters also could be lower than usual because some state workers planned to take the day off to attend an 11 a.m. protest at the Capitol organized by SEIU Local 1000. The return-to-office deadline also came two days before the observed July Fourth holiday, a week when many workers traditionally take vacation, and during summer vacation for most schools.
The four-day requirement ends six years of widespread telework policies that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 7:16 AM.
