Friday night's first Arizona Cardinals preseason game begins at 7 p.m., but drivers will face travel  issues well before that unless they make plans, state transportation officials said.

Heavier traffic is expected Friday afternoon on westbound Interstate 10 and Loop 101 in the West Valley prior to the game with the Denver Broncos, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers from the Chandler/southeast Valley region should consider using westbound/northbound Loop 202  to bypass I-10 in the downtown Phoenix area, ADOT officials said.

The best bet for those heading to the game is to arrive early, they said, adding parking lots will open at 3 p.m. 

Glendale crews are prepared to close Loop 101 on- or off-ramps near the stadium at times as part of a city effort to improve traffic flow before and after the game, ADOT officials said.

Highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov.