Memorial Day Weekend 2017: 800K Maryland Drivers To Hit Roads, When To Cross Bay Bridge

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Pack up now and hit the road if your Memorial Day 2017 plans include the sun and sand of Ocean City, or be doomed to a traffic nightmare. The Maryland Transportation Authority on Monday issued its advice for drivers who want to avoid major traffic delays on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge this holiday weekend.

AAA Mid-Atlantic estimates that 834,0000 Marylanders will travel this weekend, a 2.3 percent increase from 2016, and the highest figure for the holiday since 2005, mirroring the nationwide trend for Memorial Day travel.

“Increases in personal income and falling unemployment rates have led to strong growth in consumer spending, as well as a high level of consumer optimism," said Ragina Cooper Averella, manager of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic, on Tuesday. "These are the driving factors motivating Marylanders to open up their wallets to spend on a holiday trip.”

And while authorities didn't quite say leave now or be doomed to a traffic backup that stretches for miles, the MDTA suggests leaving for vacation early when heading to and from the Eastern Shore. The best times to get across the Bay Bridge this weekend are:

• 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.

Check traffic conditions before you hit the road:

• Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions.
• Visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras and to sign up for email alerts.
• Follow the MDTA at twitter.com/TheMDTA and facebook.com/TheMDTA.
• Ease your travel with E-ZPass. Visit ezpassmd.com to enroll online and for a list of E-ZPass “On the Go” retail locations.
• Know Before You Go - To view traffic cameras on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov. Call 511 or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information.

Beach, Water Quality Alerts On Your Phone

If you want to check the water quality conditions for state parks and Maryland beaches, the Maryland Healthy Beaches website and smartphone app can help. The website lists beaches that are closed, under advisories or have algae blooms, and you can sign up for beach alerts as conditions change.

“From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Maryland Healthy Beaches website and app deliver updated information on conditions at the nearly 200 monitored beaches in Maryland, and it provides the dos and don'ts for swimmers to stay healthy and waters to keep clean,” said Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles.

The app is available for download via the App Store and Google Play.

Travel Numbers On Roads

Nearly 744,000 Marylanders intend to drive to their Memorial Day weekend destination, a 2.1 percent increase over last year’s holiday. Residents taking to the roads represent the largest share (88 percent) of overall travelers.

“For those travelers, driving consistently remains a more affordable and often convenient option, particularly those with family and pets in tow,” Averella said.

The strong growth in travel by auto comes despite gas prices that are higher than last year. “Gas prices have been creeping upward over the last week, although the slight uptick, prices remain lower than last month’s prices and are only pennies higher than 2016 prices,” she said.

As of Monday, May 22, Maryland’s average price was $2.33 per gallon, up 3 cents from last week but 8 cents less than last month’s price.

Despite higher air fares, the increase in air travel is outpacing overall Memorial Day weekend travel growth, as over 5 percent more Maryland residents, over 65,000, intend to fly this weekend compared to 2016. This is the second consecutive year air travel has increased after several years of declines.

According to AAA’s Travel Leisure Index, average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes will be 9 percent higher this Memorial Day, with an average round trip ticket landing at $181.

AAA has online tools to help drivers save on gas:

• Fuel Price Finder locates the lowest fuel price in your area.
• Fuel Cost Calculator helps budget travel expenses.
• TripTik Mobile plots fuel prices along your travel route.

Rules of the Road:

• Devote your full attention to driving - it is illegal to text and use hand-held cell phones while driving in Maryland.
• Buckle Up! Every Seat. Every Time.
• State law requires vehicles to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck using visual signals. If you are unable to move over, slow down.
• Obey posted speed limits and overhead lane-control signals.
• Avoid changing lanes while traveling over bridges and through tunnels.
• Headlights are required at all times on the Bay Bridge.
• Keep your eyes on the road - do not sight-see.
• Do not tailgate - keep a safe following distance.
• Make sure your vehicle is "road ready."
• If your vehicle becomes disabled, remain inside and call #77 for assistance.

»Photo of Bay Bridge courtesy of Maryland Transportation Authority