7-02-2025 4:48am

When To Travel

Jeff Barto Editor

When To Cross MD Bay Bridge On July 4 Weekend 2025

These are the best times to cross the Bay Bridge on July 4 weekend 2025. Maryland officials expect heavy traffic to the Eastern Shore.

If you want to beat the congestion on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge this July 4 weekend, you'll have to get up with the morning birds or drive with the night owls. Every Maryland driver knows if you wait too long, you could get caught in miles-long traffic jams near the bridge.

The Maryland Transportation Authority warned drivers to travel off-hours if they don't want to chance the traffic heading to the Eastern Shore this holiday weekend.

Best Times To Cross

Independence Day is on Friday, July 4. The MDTA said the best times to cross the Bay Bridge over the holiday weekend are:

Eastbound:

Wednesday, July 2 – Before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 3 – Before 7 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
Friday, July 4 – Before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 5 – Before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 6 – Before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Monday, July 7 – Before 12 p.m. and after 7 p.m.

Westbound:

Wednesday, July 2 – Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 3 – Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Friday, July 4 – Before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 5 – Before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 6 – Before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
Monday, July 7 – Before 6 a.m. and after 4 p.m.

AAA predicted that 72.2 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday travel period. That's up 1.7 million from last year. About 61.6 million will travel by car, while 5.84 million will fly. The rest will take a train, bus or boat.

Drivers Urged To Stay On Route 50

Officials ask drivers to stay on U.S. Route 50 even if it is congested. This will keep local roads clear for first responders and residents.

If weather and traffic permit, the MDTA will open two-way operations to ease some of the traffic heading east. Wind, fog and rain could disrupt this plan, however.

"Stretches of concurrent eastbound and westbound delays are anticipated over the holiday period," the MDTA said in its press release. "Drivers who travel outside of the recommended drive times should expect significant delays when crossing the bridge. The core issue is traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way operations timing nor management."

Drivers may save some time on their trips to the Eastern Shore by taking the northern route, which covers more mileage while avoiding the Bay Bridge. Travelers can head up Interstate 95 north to Delaware and drive down Route 1 south to get to the beaches.

The Baltimore tunnels, however, may have increased delays with the absence of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Traffic, Safety Tips

Drivers must pay attention to these overhead signals before, on and after the bridge:

RED X: This means the lane is closed. Motorists 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.

Here's how to check the traffic:

Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) for 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic conditions. Any pressing travel updates will be posted on the MDTA's X profile.
Visit baybridge.com to view traffic cameras and to sign up for email alerts.
Follow the MDTA on social media at TheMDTA and facebook.com/TheMDTA.
Know Before You Go - To view traffic cameras on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information. When you call 511, just say "Reach the Beach." The free phone call can eliminate some of the hassles of your road trip.
To sign up for email/text alerts or view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov.

Along with delays, authorities will be on the lookout for risky behavior on the roads. Travelers can report aggressive drivers to the MDTA Police at 410-537-7911.

The MDTA also offered these safety tips:

Maryland’s Move Over law applies to all stopped vehicles displaying caution signals or warning lights. Slow down if you cannot safely move over into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle.
Allow for extra time to get to your destination.
Adhere to speed limits. Speeding gives you less time 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 stay updated on motorcycle safety.
Secure your load in vehicles and trailers before traveling. Items that shift, slide, or fall onto the roadway can lead to serious vehicle crashes, especially on roads with no shoulders like bridges and tunnels.
Get your vehicle ready for the road. If your vehicle breaks down and you cannot safely exit the roadway, remain buckled and face forward if it is safe to stay inside. 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 with minimal or no shoulders.