HANOVER, MD—Marylanders are taking to the roads, rails, and skies this Memorial Day weekend to kick off what is shaping up to be one of the busiest summer travel seasons. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is encouraging residents and visitors to be aware of increased traffic and to plan accordingly.

“Families look forward to summer as a time to gather, create new memories and enjoy the best of Maryland,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “From exploring the state’s vast network of trails, to taking a ride on a bus or train to visit cities and towns, our transportation network will get you to your destination. On the roads, I urge everyone to be a safe summer driver. Slow down, stay alert and wear your seatbelt.”

Nationally, AAA is projecting 44 million people will travel during the Memorial Day weekend, up 4% from 2023. Of those, 38.4 million are expected to drive, a record number since AAA began tracking in 2000. Airports are also expected to have a spike in travelers. AAA projects 3.5 million air travelers this holiday weekend, a nearly 5% increase compared to last year.

Last year, more than 620 people died on Maryland roadways, and nearly half of all highway fatalities in Maryland occurred between May and September. As the summer driving season begins, remember the four most common causes of fatalities resulting from crashes: speeding/aggressive driving, impairment by alcohol and/or drugs, distraction and failure to use seat restraints. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office reminds Marylanders of these tips:

• STAY FOCUSED. Cellphones are the most common distractions behind the wheel, but drivers can also be distracted by other passengers, by eating or simply by adjusting the radio. When driving, designate a passenger to handle duties that could cause a distraction.
• SLOW DOWN. Give yourself plenty of time and be patient. Make sure you have enough time to react to situations around you.
• DRIVE SOBER. Driving impaired – whether by drugs, alcohol or both – is illegal. If you plan to drink, make a plan to have a sober ride home.
• BUCKLE UP. Maryland law requires every driver and passenger wear a seat belt in a vehicle – every trip, every time. If passengers older than 16 are not wearing a seat belt, the driver can receive an $83 ticket for each offense. It takes three seconds to secure a seat belt, and statistics show wearing one is the best way to reduce the chance of a fatality in a crash. Through June 4, dozens of Maryland law enforcement agencies are taking part in the 2024 Click It or Ticket campaign aimed at increasing seat belt usage and enforcing seat belt laws.
• MOVE OVER. Maryland’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over one lane for all stopped vehicles displaying any type of caution signal or warning lights. If you cannot move over because of traffic, slow down.
• BE PREPARED. Make sure your vehicle is ready for a road trip. A checklist can be found here. If you have a breakdown or an emergency, move the vehicle off the roadway, if possible. If you cannot remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance.

Maryland State Highway suspends non-emergency road closures

To help protect travelers, work crews and to keep traffic moving, the State Highway Administration will suspend non-emergency lane closures from 3 p.m. Friday, May 24, through 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 28.

The agency will provide additional patrols of its Coordinated Highways Action Response Team – or CHART – to assist disabled vehicles, clear incidents and remove debris in the lanes. Real-time traffic information is available at roads.maryland.gov and click CHART.

Best times for crossing the Bay Bridge

For those crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge this Memorial Day weekend – you will not be alone. The Maryland Transportation Authority anticipates more than 330,000 vehicles will cross the bridge between Friday May 24 and Monday May 27. Expect delays in both directions – often simultaneously – at the bridge and along the US 50 corridor throughout the holiday travel period during peak hours. The best times to travel across the Bay Bridge this weekend include:

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.

Motorists should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents. Overhead lane signals apply to travel lanes BEFORE, ON and AFTER the bridge wherever lane signals are present.

• RED X: Means the 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: Motorists can drive in the lane beneath the GREEN ARROW signal.

As a reminder, Bay Bridge tolls are collected electronically through E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate and Video Tolling. E-ZPass is the most cost-effective way to travel toll roads in Maryland, saving drivers up to 77% compared to the higher rates and saving the additional paperwork that comes with Video Tolls. Learn more and enroll in E-ZPass or sign up for Pay-By-Plate at https://www.driveezmd.com/acct-types.

For 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic updates call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or go to baybridge.com.

For those traveling along I-95 in northeast Maryland, Maryland House (mile marker 82) and Chesapeake House (mile marker 97) travel plazas are open for food, rest and Wi-Fi access.

BWI Marshall Airport anticipates busy summer travel season

At Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, the projected number of air travelers is expected to approach pre-pandemic levels.

Passenger counts continue to rise at BWI Marshall Airport, the busiest airport in the region. In 2023, passenger traffic at BWI rose to 26.2 million, a 15% increase from the previous year. International traffic reached a new all-time high in 2023, with more than 1.3 million international passengers. This month, there were 36,238 departing passengers on Friday, May 17, the highest figure so far in 2024 and just shy of the post-pandemic record achieved last November.

Travelers flying from BWI Marshall Airport should give themselves plenty of time for airline check-in and the security checkpoint process. Passengers are advised to allow for additional time if using the airport’s parking shuttles to access the terminal.

Maryland Transit Administration service on modified schedule

The Maryland Transit Administration will operate on a modified schedule Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. Local Bus, Light Rail and Metro Subway will operate on the Sunday/Holiday schedule. Commuter Bus will operate Bus Route 201, running on the Weekend/Holiday schedule.

MARC Train will not operate Memorial Day.

Additionally, MobilityLink will not be offering subscription rides over the Memorial Day weekend. Customers must call the MobilityLink Call Center at 410-764-8181 to reschedule May 27 rides.

For the most up-to-date information on Maryland Transit Administration services, visit mta.maryland.gov. Customers can also call the Transit Information Contact Center 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 410-539-5000, TTY 410-539-3497. To receive email modifications about service modifications and delays, go to mta.maryland.gov/enotifications.

MDOT Memorial Day Holiday Travel Forecast