HANOVER, MD (May 20, 2025) – Marylanders are expected to take on the roads, rails and skies in large numbers this Memorial Day weekend and the Maryland Department of Transportation is urging everyone to be Serious About Safety as they kick off the start of summer travel season. The Department encourages residents and visitors to slow down, stay alert on the road and use seat belts to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.
“Summertime is when many Marylanders explore our state's beauty and create life-long memories,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Historically, the summer months are also when we see an increase in deadly crashes across the state. Help us save lives this summer. I urge everyone to join the Department in being Serious About Safety and practicing safe driving – buckle up, slow down, pay attention and drive sober. Together we can bend the curve on roadway fatalities and work towards Maryland's goal of zero deaths.”
Thousands of Maryland residents are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home this weekend, which means traffic could be heavier than normal on the way out of the region, especially toward the Eastern Shore beaches, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and on the way back Monday. Air travelers should also expect busy security checkpoints at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Nationally, AAA is projecting 45.1 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home over the long holiday weekend, an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to 2024. Most of the travelers, 39.4 million, are taking trips by car, while 3.6 million plan to fly, AAA says. The rest will go by train, bus or boat, according to AAA’s annual holiday survey.
Ditch the Distractions, Put Safety First
Last year, more than 575 lives were lost on Maryland roads. So far this year, there have already been 150 fatalities.
As we head into the busy summer driving season, it's important to remember that most crashes are caused by the choices drivers make—like speeding, aggressive driving, impaired driving (alcohol or drugs) and distractions behind the wheel.
Before you hit the road, keep these safety tips in mind:
BE FOCUSED. Cellphones are the most common distraction 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 extra time and stay patient. Higher speeds mean it takes longer to stop and requires more distance. Stay alert and ensure you have enough time to react to what's happening 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 to wear a seat belt. If passengers under 16 are not wearing a seat belt, the driver can receive an $83 ticket for each unbelted occupant. Front passengers ages 16 or older without a seat belt will also receive a citation. 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. Starting this week and continuing through the beginning of June, dozens of Maryland law enforcement agencies are taking part in the 2025 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 when approaching any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying warning signals. 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.
Learn more highway safety tips and get information on the Motor Vehicle Administration Highway Safety Office’s commitment to zero deaths on Maryland roadways at
ZeroDeathsMD.gov and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at
ZeroDeathsMD.
Maryland Highway Administration Suspends Non-Emergency Roadwork
To help protect travelers and its work crews, the State Highway Administration will suspend major lane closures for non-emergency roadwork from 3 p.m. Thursday, May 22, through 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27.
The agency will provide additional patrols of its Coordinated Highways Action Response Team – or CHART – to assist disabled vehicles and clear incidents. Real-time traffic information is available at roads.maryland.gov and click CHART.
Motorists are reminded of the ramp management plans in Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s counties. These plans are designed to free the service roads of severe congestion and keep drivers on US 50 heading to and from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on summer weekends. Additional information about the Anne Arundel County plan is available
here and the Queen Anne’s County plan is available
here.
Beach-Bound Travelers Should Expect Heavier Traffic
More than 340,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday, May 23, and Monday, May 26, Memorial Day. Motorists should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents.
Expect travel delays in both directions – often simultaneously – at the Bay Bridge and along the US 50 corridor throughout the entire holiday travel period when traveling during peak hours. The best times to travel across the Bay Bridge this holiday period include:
• Eastbound
o Thursday, May 22 – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
o Friday, May 23 – before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
o Saturday, May 24 – before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
o Sunday, May 25 – before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
o Memorial Day Monday, May 26 – before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
o Tuesday, May 27 – before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Westbound
o Thursday, May 22 – before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
o Friday, May 23 – before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
o Saturday, May 24 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
o Sunday, May 25 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
o Memorial Day Monday, May 26 – before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
o Tuesday, May 27 – before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
For 24/7 real-time Bay Bridge traffic information, call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or visit
Baybridge.com. For real-time updates on major incidents on Maryland toll roads, follow
x.com/TheMDTA.
Based on weather and traffic, two-way traffic operations will be implemented to help prevent eastbound delays from becoming gridlock at the Bay Bridge.
Lane signals apply to US 50 travel lanes before, on and after the Bay Bridge, wherever lane signals are present. Motorists must not enter or travel in any lane over which a Red X signal is shown. Commercial vehicles must travel across the Bay Bridge in the right lane.
For motorists traveling in and around the Baltimore metropolitan area, please note that the southeast section of the I-695 Beltway is closed at MD 173 (Exit 1) on the Outer Loop and at MD 151/North Point Boulevard (Exit 42) on the Inner Loop. For more information visit mdta.maryland.gov/HarborCrossings.
Tolls in Maryland are collected through E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate, and Video Tolling. Learn more and enroll in E-ZPass or sign up for Pay-By-Plate at
driveezmd.com/acct-types/.
BWI Marshall Airport Anticipates Busy Summer Travel Season
Passenger counts at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport have reached or surpassed pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, passenger traffic at BWI rose to 27 million, nearly a new record and a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
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. Real-time parking and security checkpoint information is available on the BWI Marshall
website.
Travelers are reminded that, as of May 7, every adult domestic airline passenger is required to have a REAL ID-compliant state issued driver’s license, identification card, or other acceptable form of identification, like a passport, to board a flight.
Maryland Transit Administration on Modified Schedule
On Memorial Day, the Maryland Transit Administration will run on a modified schedule. CityLink and LocalLink buses, Light RailLink and MetroSubway will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule and Commuter Bus will operate Bus Route 201 on a Weekend/Holiday “S” schedule.
MobilityLink will not operate subscription rides over the Memorial Day weekend. Customers must call the MobilityLink Call Center at 410-764-8181 to reschedule May 26 rides.
For the latest information on Maryland Transit Administration service, check the website at 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 sign-up for email about service modifications and delays, go to
mta.maryland.gov/enotifications.
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MDOT Memorial Day Holiday Travel Forecast Graphics
Memorial Day weekend travel forecast graphics for the Bay Bridge and the Baltimore and Washington D.C. regions are available at the links below.