PORTLAND, Ore. – Gridlock was expected to greet Memorial Day travelers Monday afternoon, probably between 3 and 5 p.m., according to Oregon Department of Transportation officials.

AP photo

But if you hit the highways at the right times, you’ll be able to avoid the tie-ups.

The worst traffic jams will be on the freeways leading to Oregon’s mountain passes.

Oregon State Police said your best bet would be between noon and 2 p.m. Monday. Freeways will be busiest between 3 and 5 p.m. on Memorial Day.

Police are also on increased patrols over the weekend targeting intoxicated, fatigued, reckless and aggressive drivers.

"It's the deadliest major holiday throughout the year for alcohol involved fatal crashes," Oregon State Police Lt. Gregg hastings said. "There were two fatalities last year which was the lowest tied for two other years since 1970, but two years ago there were 10 people that were killed."

Since 2007 Oregon has added about 60 troopers to the ranks of the state police force.

In addition, an enforcement project called CARE, or the Combined Accident Reduction Effort, runs through Monday coinciding with the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign aimed at enforcing seat belt laws. CARE is an enforcement project made up of state and local police agencies.

Federal grants are helping to fund increased police patrols for both projects.

(KGW Reporter Pat Dooris contributed to this report)