Labor Day 2024 Travel: Best And Worst Times To Get Out Of Town In MD

MARYLAND — Marylanders taking a Labor Day road trip can get their long weekend off to a good start by avoiding certain times when traffic is expected to be heavier than usual.

Thursday and Friday afternoons and evenings will see the most traffic congestion, transportation data provider INRIX said in AAA’s Labor Day travel trends report. Either morning is better, but people leaving on the weekend should wait until Saturday afternoon.

People who are returning home on either Sunday or Monday should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy afternoon traffic, INRIX said.

If you are spending the weekend at the beach, there are times and days to avoid driving and when it's best to make the trip. (See suggested times to cross the Bay Bridge below.)

Below are the worst and best times to travel by car this weekend:

Worst Times

• Thursday: 1-7:30 p.m.
• Friday: 2-6 p.m.
• Saturday: 8-11 a.m.
• Sunday: 2-8 p.m.
• Monday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Tuesday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. noon

Best Times

• Thursday: before 11 a.m.
• Friday: before noon, after 7 p.m.
• Saturday: after 12 p.m. noon
• Sunday: before 12 p.m. noon
• Monday: before 10 a.m.
• Tuesday: after 1 p.m.

If you’re traveling through the DMV, it’s a good idea to avoid the Baltimore-Washington Parkway heading south, which is expected to see a 44 percent increase in traffic. Peak congestion is expected Monday at 3:15 p.m., resulting in a travel time of one hour and three minutes, according to INRIX.

Traffic may also be heavy through Baltimore. Congestion could spike near the Fort McHenry Tunnel (Interstate 95) and the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (Interstate 895), given the absence of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Interstate 695.

Roadwork on Interstate 95 could present extra traffic, especially between White Marsh and Bel Air.

"Work zones are present within the heavily traveled I-95 corridor," the Maryland Transportation Authority said in a Monday press release. "The MDTA urges all motorists to focus, slow down and stay alert when driving through or near work zones."

Bay Bridge delays are also anticipated. To see the best times to cross, read Patch's Bay Bridge travel forecast.

Best Times To Cross Bridge

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

Thursday, Aug. 29 – Before noon and after 8 p.m.Friday, Aug. 30 – Before 10 a.m. and after 9 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 31 – Before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.Sunday, Sept. 1– Before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.Labor Day Monday, Sept. 2 – Before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.

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.

Related: MD Bay Bridge: Best Times To Cross On Labor Day Weekend 2024