MDOT - Maryland Department of Transportation

05/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2026 07:38

Be Serious About Safety This Memorial Day Weekend

Let's Make this Maryland's Safest Summer Together: Plan Ahead, Slow Down & Stay Focused

"As the summer travel season begins, I urge everyone to join me in making safe choices that will save lives and prevent crashes," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson. "Safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone needs to do their part by slowing down, staying alert and wearing their seat belt. Together we can make this Maryland's safest summer."

Traffic is expected to be heavier than normal across the region, especially as travelers head to and from beaches on the Eastern Shore. Air travelers should also plan for busy security checkpoints at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.


Nationally, AAA expects this year to set a Memorial Day travel record, projecting 45 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home over the long holiday weekend, an increase of 200,000 travelers compared to 2025. Most of the travelers, 39.1 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 forecast​ .

Put Safety First This Summer

Last year, more than 475 lives were lost on Maryland roads. As of May 19, there have been 138 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:
  • 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 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 2026 Click It or Ticket campaign aimed at increasing seat belt usage and enforcing seat belt laws.
  • 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 work crews, the State Highway Administration will suspend major lane closures for non-emergency roadwork from after 3 p.m. Thursday, May 21, through 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 26. On major travel routes such as US 50, I-97, US 301 and MD 295, lane closure restrictions will be extended until 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 27.


The agency will provide additional patrols of its Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (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 335,000 vehicles are expected to cross the Bay Bridge between Friday, May 22, and Memorial Day Monday, May 25. 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 bridge and along the US 50 corridor throughout the holiday travel period during peak travel hours. The best times to travel across the Bay Bridge this holiday period include:

Eastbound

  • Thursday, May 21 - before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
  • Friday, May 22 - before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 23 - before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 24 - before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
  • Memorial Day Monday, May 25 - before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 26 - before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Westbound

  • Thursday, May 21 - before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
  • Friday, May 22 - before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 23 - before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 24 - before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
  • Memorial Day Monday, May 25 - before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 26 - before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Weather and traffic permitting, two-way traffic operations will be implemented to help prevent eastbound delays from becoming gridlock at the Bay Bridge. Two-way traffic operations may be limited based on westbound traffic volumes, as bridge officials strive to mitigate delays on both sides of the bridge. Two-way traffic operations are prohibited during bridge wind warnings/restrictions, fog/limited visibility, or times of precipitation and may be prohibited during incidents.

Overhead lane signals apply to travel lanes before, on and after the 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 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic information, visit Baybridge.com or call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726). For real-time updates on major incidents on Maryland toll roads, follow us on X . 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 here .

BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Anticipates Busy Summer Travel Season


For the Memorial Day holiday weekend and the peak summer travel season, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport expects elevated passenger traffic at security checkpoints, parking facilities and public roadways around the airport terminal. Travelers flying from BWI Marshall Airport should give themselves plenty of time for parking, airline check-in and the security checkpoint process. Real-time parking and security checkpoint information is available on the BWI Marshall website .

All airline passengers 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another accepted form of identification to fly within the United States. To help ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience, BWI Marshall encourages all passengers to check their identification and come prepared before arriving at the airport. Travelers without REAL IDs or other acceptable forms of identification have the option to use TSA ConfirmID by paying a $45 fee for a 10-day travel period.

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 on Memorial Day, May 25. Customers must call the MobilityLink Call Center at 410-764-8181 to reschedule 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, click here .

Memorial Day Weekend Cruises

Two cruises will debark from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore over the holiday weekend. The Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas will leave on Saturday, May 23, on a five-night cruise to Bermuda, while the Carnival Pride will head out on Sunday, May 24, taking passengers on a seven-day excursion to the Bahamas.


Last year more than 413,000 passengers took a cruise from Baltimore, ranking as one of Maryland's top 10 passenger years of all time. To learn about upcoming cruises, visit Cruise Maryland's website .

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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:

MDOT - Maryland Department of Transportation published this content on May 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 19, 2026 at 13:39 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]