Here Are Best, Worst Times To Cross Bay Bridge On Memorial​ Day Weekend

ANNAPOLIS, MD — If you want to beat the congestion on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge this Memorial Day weekend, you'll have to get up with the morning birds or drive with the night owls. Every Marylander knows if you wait too long, you could get caught in traffic jams for miles.

The Maryland Transportation Authority warned drivers to travel off-hours if they don't want to chance the traffic heading to the beach this holiday weekend.

Best Times To Cross

Memorial Day is on Monday, May 27. The best times to cross the Bay Bridge this weekend are:

Eastbound

• Thursday, May 23 – Before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Friday, May 24 – Before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Saturday, May 25 – Before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Sunday, May 26 – Before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Memorial Day Monday, May 27 – Before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 28 – Before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m.

Westbound

• Thursday, May 23 – Before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Friday, May 24 – Before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 25 – Before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Sunday, May 26 – Before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Memorial Day Monday, May 27 – Before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 28 – Before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

"Expect travel delays in both directions – often simultaneously – at the bridge and along the US 50 corridor throughout the entire holiday travel period when traveling peak hours," the MDTA said in a press release. "Historically, heavy traffic volumes and related delays have occurred consistently in both directions at the Bay Bridge during the summer travel season."

The MDTA estimated that more than 330,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday and Monday.

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.

If weather and traffic permit, the MDTA will open two-way operations to ease some of the traffic heading east. Wind, fog and rain could disrupt this plan, however.

"Drivers who travel during peak hours should expect significant delays when crossing the bridge," the MDTA said in the release. "The core issue is traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way operation timing nor management. This has been observed routinely for many years on Sundays where three lanes westbound are not constrained by two-way traffic, yet heavy westbound delays are still present."

Drivers may save some time on their trips to the Eastern Shore by taking the northern route, which covers more mileage while avoiding the Bay Bridge. Travelers can head up Interstate 95 north to Delaware and drive down Route 1 south to get to the beaches.

The Baltimore tunnels, however, may have increased delays with the absence of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

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.
The MDTA also offered these safety tips:

• Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
• Adhere to speed limits. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of a crash.
• Don’t drive distracted. Any activity that takes your focus away from the road ahead is a distraction.
• NEVER drive impaired by drugs or alcohol. Impaired driving endangers your life and the lives of others.
• Look twice for motorcycles, and remember that in Maryland, individuals may not operate or ride on a motorcycle unless they wear a helmet that is certified to meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards.
• Move over when approaching an emergency, transportation, service and utility vehicle or tow truck with red, yellow, or amber flashing lights. It’s the law. If you are unable to move over, slow down.
• Commercial vehicles must travel across the Bay Bridge in the right lane.
• Secure your load in vehicles and trailers before traveling. Items that can shift, slide or fall onto the roadway can lead to serious vehicle crashes, especially on roads with no shoulders like bridges.
• Make sure your vehicle is road ready. If your vehicle breaks down, exit the roadway. If that isn’t possible, remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance.

Related:

• Bay Bridge Closing 1 Span Overnight For Next Year
• New Bay Bridge Span: Anne Arundel County Will Discuss Proposed 3rd Crossing
• Bay Bridge Traffic: Nearby Ramps Close Temporarily To Ease Congestion
• New Bay Bridge Span Study Seeks Feedback On Nearby Bikers, Pedestrians
• Bay Bridge Drivers Get Earlier Warning Of Lane Closures Via New Signs
• Bay Bridge Deck Replacement To Bring Closures Starting In Fall 2023
• Bay Bridge Traffic Relief: Temporary Traffic Light Coming To Ramp
• New Bay Bridge Span Inches Closer To Reality, MD Launches Next Step
• New Bay Bridge Crossing: MD Officially Proposes Location For 3rd Span