As Thanksgiving starts the holiday season, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) reminds drivers to roadmap their travels to help everyone on roads arrive safely at their destination. This holiday travel period is consistently one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. Plan ahead and be sure to allow ample travel time. Packing your patience, along with your suitcase will go a long way towards achieving the goal of helping reach your destination. Motorists are implored to drive with safety in mind at all times when behind the wheel to protect yourself, your family and other travelers.
For motorists traveling in and around the Baltimore metropolitan area, it is important to note that the southeast section of I-695 is closed at MD 173 (Exit 1) on the Outer Loop and MD 151/North Point Boulevard (Exit 42) on the Inner Loop.
The I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel and I-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel have restrictions on hazardous materials, width and height. Vehicles carrying hazardous or explosive materials, including bottled propane gas in U.S. DOT approved containers larger than 10 pounds (maximum of 10 ten-pound containers) are prohibited from using both tunnels. It does not matter whether or not the bottles are empty or full. This is the case for personal and business usage. These vehicles should use the western section of I-695 around the tunnels.
Work zones are present within the heavily traveled I-95 corridor. The MDTA urges all motorists to focus, slow down and stay alert when driving through or near work zones.
The Maryland Transportation Authority is providing the following suggested travel times for its major routes during the holiday period.
Bay Bridge Recommended travel times to avoid the most congested periods are:
- Tuesday, November 26 – before noon and after 8:00 p.m.;
- Wednesday, November 27 – before 9:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m.;
- Thursday, November 28 – before 10:00 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m.;
- Friday, November 29 – before 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.;
- Saturday, November 30 – before 10:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m.; and
- Sunday, December 1 – before 10:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m.
Weather and traffic permitting, two-way operations will be implemented to help ease eastbound delays at the Bay Bridge. Two-way operations may be limited based on westbound traffic volumes, as bridge officials strive to mitigate delays on both sides of the bridge. Two-way operations are prohibited during bridge wind warnings/restrictions, fog/limited visibility or times of precipitation, and may be prohibited during incidents.
I-95 (JFK Memorial Highway and Fort McHenry Tunnel) best times to travel include:
- Tuesday, November 26 – before noon and after 11:00 p.m.;
- Wednesday, November 27 – before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m.;
- Thursday, November 28 – before 8:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m.;
- Friday, November 29 – before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.;
- Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1 – before 8:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m.; and
- Monday, December 2 – before 8:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m.
The I-95 travel plazas – Chesapeake House in Cecil County at mile marker 97 and Maryland House in Harford County at mile marker 82 – are open 24/7 with food, indoor/outdoor seating, fuel and electric vehicle charging stations are available. It Can Wait! Rest areas designated as safe zones for texts.
What’s happening on Interstate 95 RIGHT NOW! I-95 Real-time traffic information for cities along I-95. Maps show updates on road construction, traffic accidents, travel delays and the latest traffic speeds. Traffic cameras show congestion at a glance. Visit I-95 Traffic.
The I-95 Exit Guide is the Internet’s largest and most complete website dedicated to Interstate 95 travelers. Find detailed exit service listings… lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida!
On the road? Why not take us with you. The I-95 Exit Guide is mobile-friendly and totally FREE. No App Required.
Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide, I-10 Exit Guide, I-75 Exit Guide, I-80 Exit Guide and I-95 Exit Guide. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit along the way!
