Labor Day traffic a headache for those heading back to the Valley

In eastern Arizona, the Department of Transportation reported that the backup on State Route 260 east of Payson was about seven miles long  west of Kohl’s Ranch.

On Interstate 17, the main route between Flagstaff and the Phoenix area, ADOT reported southbound backups north of Black Canyon and also at Cordes Junction and Camp Verde. In addition,  ADOT closed I-17 northbound for a brief time on Monday afternoon in that area for a vehicle fire.

There was heavy traffic reported near Kingman.

Not very good: I-17 SB has a crash north of SR 169 with 1 lane blocked. Then stagnant traffic from Cordes Jct to south of Rock Springs.

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 5, 2016

I-17 SB: Heavy slowing south of Sunset Pt and near Cordes Jct. Pack your patience. pic.twitter.com/FXUnUOIdlk

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 5, 2016

For those heading back from the southwest area of Arizona, the State Route 85 NB was closed before arriving at the Interstate 10 according to ADOT.

CLOSURE: SR 85 NB is closed at milepost 153, approaching I-10. Traffic is exiting at Broadway. #phxtraffic pic.twitter.com/Mk3WvbN6Yd

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 5, 2016

The Associated Press contributed to this story