DRIVING MARYLAND TOLL ROADS THIS LABOR DAY? HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

Per Maryland Transit Authority:

Reduce Travel Delays with Best Bay Bridge Drive Times

Streamline Toll Payments with E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate 

The Labor Day holiday weekend is expected to hold one last summer surge for travelers at Maryland toll facilities. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) urges drivers to prioritize safety and plan their travels before putting the vehicle in drive. At the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, motorists can expect heavy congestion within the US 50 corridor throughout the holiday travel period when driving during peak hours. Go early, stay later.

In Baltimore, the southeast section of I-695 closure points remain 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 https://mdta.maryland.gov/HarborCrossings. Drivers may consider the I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL) in their travels, which now feature northbound lanes that extend to Mountain Road (MD 152). Toll rates can be found at https://mdta.maryland.gov/TollRatesTables. As a reminder, safety is paramount in highway work zones, which may feature no shoulders, narrow lanes, or other hazardous conditions. When driving through or near work zones, slow down, focus on the road ahead, and obey all traffic signs and signals.

BAY BRIDGE TRAVEL

More than 345,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday, August 29, and Monday, September 1, Labor Day. Motorists should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents. 

The best times to travel across the Bay Bridge this holiday period include:

• Thursday, August 28 – before 11 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
• Friday, August 29 – before 10 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
• Saturday, August 30 – before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Sunday, August 31 – before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Labor Day Monday, September 1 – before 10 a.m. and after 10 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 https://x.com/TheMDTA.

Weather and traffic permitting, two-way operations will be implemented to help prevent eastbound delays from becoming gridlock at the Bay Bridge. Vehicles over 5T GVWR are prohibited from using the contra-flow lane during two-way operations for safety reasons. 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. It should be noted that heavy traffic volumes and related rolling delays have occurred consistently in both directions at the Bay Bridge this summer travel season. 

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.

Police enforcement is ongoing for motorists failing to obey the lane-use control signals on the US 50 approaches and the bridge. Commercial vehicles must travel across the Bay Bridge in the right lane. 

SAFETY REMINDERS

• Maryland’s Move Over law applies to all stopped vehicles displaying any caution signals or warning lights. If you cannot safely move over into an available lane that’s not immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle, slow down.
• Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
• Adhere to speed limits. Speeding reduces the time you have to react and increases the severity of a crash.
• Avoid distractions when driving. It only takes a second to wreck it.
• Look twice for motorcycles. Riders must have a valid motorcycle license and should stay current on motorcycle safety.
• Secure your load in vehicles and trailers before traveling. Items that can shift, slide, or fall onto the roadway can lead to serious vehicle crashes, especially on roads with no shoulders, such as bridges and tunnels.
• Get your vehicle ready for the road. If your vehicle breaks down and you cannot safely exit the roadway, if it is safe to remain inside, remain buckled and facing forward. Dial #77 for non-emergency assistance.
• Double (side-by-side) separation of lanes where solid–white travel is in the same direction indicates lane changing is prohibited. Changing lanes in tunnels and on bridges can be hazardous, especially when there are minimal or no shoulders.

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. 

Designate a sober driver, call a taxi or ride-share service, or use the Maryland Transit Administration’s public transportation options. Law enforcement officers will remain vigilant, targeting dangerous driving, seatbelt violations, and criminal activity. To report aggressive or dangerous driving on Maryland toll roads, call MDTA Police Dispatch at 410-537-7911. 

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

MARYLAND TOLL PAYMENT OPTIONS

Tolls in Maryland are collected through E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate, and Video Tolling. E-ZPass is the most cost-effective option, saving drivers up to 77% compared to the higher rates and eliminating the additional paperwork that comes with Video Tolls. With Pay-By-Plate, tolls are automatically billed to the driver’s registered credit card as they use Maryland toll facilities, with no need for a transponder or pre-paid deposit. Pay-By-Plate rates are the same as the 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, the vehicle information can be added temporarily to an E-ZPass or Pay-By-Plate account. Otherwise, be sure to inquire with the rental car company before traveling a route that includes a toll facility. Use the MDTA’s toll rate calculator to plan your driving routes and estimate the cost of tolls based on your vehicle at https://driveezmd.com/toll-rate-calculator/.

DriveEzMD Customer Service Centers will be closed Saturday, August 30, and Monday, September 1. Visit DriveEzMD.com, use the mobile app, or visit the Google Play Store to download the DriveEzMD app. The automated system at 1-888-321-6824 is available for 24/7 account maintenance or to make payments.