Best Times To Cross Bay Bridge On Thanksgiving Weekend 2021

ANNAPOLIS, MD — If you want to beat the congestion on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge or Interstate 95 this Thanksgiving and Black Friday 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 jams for miles.

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

Best Times To Cross

The best times to cross the Bay Bridge this weekend are:

Eastbound:

• Tuesday through Friday – Before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 29 – Before noon and after 9 p.m.

Westbound:

• Tuesday and Wednesday – Before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Thursday through Sunday – Before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 29 – Before 5 a.m. and after 2 p.m.

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.

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

Best Times To Use I-95

Interstate 95 could see similar delays. The best times to travel this thoroughfare are:

• Tuesday and Wednesday – Before 6 a.m. and after 11 p.m.
• Thursday and Friday – Before 7 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday – Before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.

Holiday Hours For Roadside Amenities

The I-95 travel plazas are open 24/7. They both have indoor and outdoor seating. These rest stops are the:

• Chesapeake House in Cecil County at mile marker 97
• Maryland House in Harford County at mile marker 82

DriveEzMD Customer Service Centers will be closed on Thanksgiving. Travelers can still visit DriveEzMD.com or call 1-888-321-6824 for 24/7 account maintenance and payment information.

Traffic, Safety Tips

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 highway police at 410-537-7911.

The MDTA also offered these safety tips:

• Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
• Obey speed limits. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of a crash.
• Devote your full attention to driving and maintain a safe following distance. Food, phones or other things that can take your focus away from the road ahead can be distractions.
• Move over for emergency vehicles. State law requires vehicles to move over when approaching an emergency, transportation, service and utility vehicle or tow truck with red, yellow or amber flashing lights. If you cannot safely move over, slow down to a safer speed.
• Make sure your vehicle is road ready. A breakdown can create a backup within seconds. If your vehicle breaks down, exit the roadway. If that isn’t possible, remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance.
• Use caution while traveling in work zones.

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