Worst Times To Travel In Maryland For Memorial Day 2019

MARYLAND — If you want to avoid traffic jams in the Baltimore-Washington area, stay off the roads in the afternoon on Memorial Day, in particular. Nearly 43 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles this year to observe Memorial Day, the majority of them — 37.6 million — in cars, according to AAA.

Travel on roads in the metro area around D.C. will take three times longer than usual from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. on Monday, May 27, according to AAA. The auto club used data from the global transportation analytics company INRIX to forecast traffic on the federal holiday, which honors military members who died serving their country and is often considered the unofficial start of summer.

Nationwide, the worst traffic congestion will occur in the late afternoon on Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24. Many U.S. workers will leave their jobs early and mix with holiday traffic, creating a perfect storm for the afternoon commute.

“Drivers in the most congested metros should expect much worse conditions than normal,” said Trevor Reed, transportation analyst for INRIX, in a news release. “Travelers should anticipate delays to start on Wednesday and continue through Memorial Day. Our advice to drivers is to avoid the morning and evening commuting times or plan alternate routes.”

AAA says 2019 will see the second-highest Memorial Day weekend traffic by volume since it started keeping track in 2000 and the most travelers since 2005. Overall, there will be 1.5 million more people traveling by car, train or plane than there were in 2018, for an increase of 3.6 percent.

Those traveling by automobile are doing so despite a rising national gas price average close to $3 a gallon. The national average for a gallon of gasoline was $2.86 on May 14, which compares to last year’s national average of $2.87 a gallon on the same date a year ago.

Maryland Toll Roads To See Uptick In Travelers

A 1 percent increase in traffic this year is expected on Maryland toll roads during Memorial Day weekend, compared with last year.

The Maryland Transportation Authority said that it anticipates almost 2 million travelers on the roads it oversees, which include tunnels, bridges and toll roads. Based on the forecast from the agency, the Fort McHenry Tunnel is expected to see the most travelers.

These are the projected traffic counts for the Memorial Day weekend, from Friday, May 24, to Monday, May 27, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority; numbers include travel in both directions:

• Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) — More than 590,000
• John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95) — More than 550,000
• Bay Bridge/US 50/301 — More than 340,000
• Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895) — More than 215,000
• Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695) — More than 190,000

Construction-related lane closures will be lifted for the holiday weekend, from 5 a.m. on Friday, May 24, to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28.

Travel Off-Peak On The Bay Bridge: When To Go

For those traveling to the Eastern Shore, the Maryland Transportation Authority provided information about peak times on the Bay Bridge.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and travel off-peak, which is defined as follows:

• Thursday/Friday — Before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Saturday — Before 7 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Sunday/Monday — Before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.

Drivers going to the Eastern Shore should say on US 50 to keep local roads open for residents and emergency vehicles, authorities advised.

To get a heads up about current traffic conditions, call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras.

Extra Patrols Will Be Out For Holiday

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police will add patrols so officers can quickly respond to any disabled vehicles and incidents on the roads.

There will be extra Maryland Transportation Authority police on the lookout for those driving while impaired as well.

In addition, Maryland State Police will be out in force with partner agencies in local jurisdictions conducting DUI checkpoints, "Click It Or Ticket" seat belt patrols and enforcement of the Move Over Law.

• Maryland State Police Step Up Enforcement Of 2 Laws
• DUI Checkpoint Planned In Harford County: Sheriff

AAA anticipates calls from more than 353,000 drivers this Memorial Day weekend. The top issues projected are dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts.

To avoid becoming one of those numbers, AAA recommends drivers take their vehicles to get any needed maintenance before they hit the road.

Also take a mobile phone and car charger, flashlight with extra batteries, first-aid kit, a basic toolkit, and drinking water and snacks for all passengers to be prepared.

Patch editor Beth Dalbey contributed to this report.