I-95 Traffic On Thanksgiving Weekend: Best Times To Hit The Road In MD

MARYLAND — Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest times for American travel. Maryland is no exception.

Auto club AAA predicted that 1.05 million Marylanders will travel 50 miles or more from home on Thanksgiving weekend. That includes 956,000 who will drive to their destinations.

All the hustle-bustle may make driving on Interstate 95 quite the headache if you hit the road at the wrong time. Planning ahead could make all the difference, especially with storms in the forecast.

The Maryland Transportation Authority said these are the best times to use I-95 this weekend:

• Wednesday, Nov. 23: Before 6 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 24: Before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 25: Before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27: Before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 28: Before 6 a.m. and after 7 p.m.

The I-95 travel plazas will be open 24/7 with food, fuel and electric vehicle charging stations available. Those rest stops are the Chesapeake House in Cecil County at mile marker 97 and the Maryland House in Harford County at mile marker 82.

Related:

• MD Forecast: Storm Arrives For Thanksgiving Weekend Travel
• MD Bay Bridge: Best, Worst Times To Cross On Thanksgiving Week 2022
• Thanksgiving Travel Forecast 2022: Best Time To Leave Maryland

Travel Tips

The Maryland Transportation Authority also offered these tips in their holiday travel press release:

For real-time updates on major incidents on Maryland toll roads follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA. For 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic information call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or visit Baybridge.com. Sign up for email/text alerts at https://bit.ly/2Dh9EZn.

With Maryland being an all-electronic tolling state, the MDTA is also reminding travelers that tolls are paid electronically via E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate or Video Tolling. E-ZPass remains the most cost-effective way to travel toll roads in Maryland, saving drivers up to 77% versus the higher rates and additional paperwork that come with Video Tolls.

With Pay-By-Plate, tolls are billed to the driver’s registered credit card as they use Maryland toll facilities, with no need for a transponder or pre-paid toll deposit. Pay-By-Plate rates are the same as former cash rates. Learn more and enroll in E-ZPass or sign up for Pay-By-Plate at https://www.driveezmd.com/acct-types/. If using a rental vehicle over the holiday, you can add vehicle information temporarily to an E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate account. Otherwise, be sure to alert the rental car company before traveling a route that includes a toll facility.

Video Tolling customers have an opportunity to save 15% (maximum of $5 per transaction) by paying their Video Tolls before the notice is mailed.

DriveEzMD E-ZPass Maryland Customer Service Centers will be closed Thursday, November 24. Visit DriveEzMD.com or use the automated system at 1-888-321-6824 for 24/7 account maintenance or to make payments.

MDTA also reminds customers that its Customer Assistance Plan, which offers a civil penalty waiver grace period for Video Tolls, expires at 11:59 p.m. November 30, 2022. Customers can take advantage of this limited-time opportunity by paying unpaid Video Tolls in full by 11:59 p.m. November 30, 2022. On December 1, toll debt referrals to the Central Collection Unit (CCU) for collections actions and to the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) for vehicle registration suspensions will resume.

PUT SAFETY ON YOUR HOLIDAY MENU

No matter where you travel for the holiday, please remember these safety tips on the road:

• Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
• Obey speed limits. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of a crash.
• Always stay focused on the road ahead. Phones, selecting your next song or podcast and eating are among the many distractions that can lead to a disastrous outcome. It only takes a second to wreck it.
• Maryland’s Move Over law includes all stopped vehicles that are displaying any type of caution signals or warning lights when approaching from the rear. If you cannot safely move over into an available lane that’s not immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle, slow down.
• Make sure your vehicle is road ready. If your vehicle breaks down, exit the roadway. If that isn’t possible, remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance.

The MDTA Police remind drivers that it is NEVER permissible to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs – whether they are illegal, prescription or over-the-counter medications. Impaired driving endangers your life and the lives of others. Law enforcement officers will remain vigilant and target dangerous drivers, seat belt violations and criminal activity throughout the holidays. To report aggressive or dangerous driving on Maryland toll roads, call MDTA Police Dispatch at 410-537-7911.

Travelers also are reminded to pay attention to surroundings and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. If you see something, say something. If there is an emergency, call MDTA Police Dispatch or dial 911.

The MDTA thanks motorists for partnering on a commitment to safe driving practices and wishes everyone safe travels this holiday season.