Cross MD Bay Bridge Early Or Late To Beat 4th Of July Traffic

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The 4th of July weekend will see nearly one million travelers in the state. Here are best times to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to and from Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Drivers should expect heavy traffic at the Bay Bridge and along the U.S. 50 corridor Friday, June 30, through Wednesday, July 5, in both directions, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Best Times To Cross

The best times to travel across the Bay Bridge this holiday period will be off-peak, including:

• Friday, June 30 – before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Saturday, July 1 – before 7 a.m. and after 7 pm
• Sunday, July 2 – before 9 a.m. and after 8 pm
• Monday, July 3 – before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 4 – before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 5 – before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Stretches of concurrent eastbound and westbound delays are anticipated over the Fourth of July holiday. Recent post-pandemic Fourth of July holiday periods have experienced nearly 12-mile delays westbound and nearly 5-mile delays eastbound, the MDTA said.

If weather and traffic permit, the MDTA will open two-way operations to ease some of the eastbound traffic delays at the Bay Bridge. Wind, fog and rain could disrupt this plan, however.

Officials ask drivers to stay on U.S. Route 50 even if it is congested. This will keep local roads clear for first responders and residents.

Drivers may save some time on their trips to the Eastern Shore by taking the northern route. Travelers can head north on Interstate 95 to Delaware and drive south on Route 1 to get to the beaches.

Traffic, Safety Tips

Drivers must pay attention to these overhead signals before, on and after the bridge:

• RED X: Lane is closed. You MUST NOT enter or travel in any lane over which a RED X signal is shown.
• YELLOW X: Prepare to vacate the lane beneath the YELLOW X signal and move to a lane with a DOWNWARD GREEN ARROW.
• DOWNWARD GREEN ARROW: You can drive in the lane beneath the GREEN ARROW signal.

Here's how to check the traffic:

• Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions. Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA's Twitter.
• Visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras and to sign up for email alerts.
• Follow the MDTA on social media at TheMDTA and facebook.com/TheMDTA.
• Ease your travel with E-ZPass. Visit driveezmd.com to enroll online and for a list of E-ZPass "On the Go" retail locations.
• Know Before You Go - To view traffic cameras on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information. When you call 511, just say "Reach the Beach." The free phone call can eliminate some of the hassles of your road trip.
• To sign up for email/text alerts or view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov.

Along with delays, authorities will be on the lookout for risky behavior on the roads. Travelers can report aggressive drivers to the MDTA Police at 410-537-7911.