EASTON, MD - In the midst of bustling roads and crowded gas stations along Route 50, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) is urging travelers to exercise patience and plan their journeys wisely.
Wednesday, the thoroughfare experienced heightened activity, prompting Rebecca Montgomery to share her proactive approach by traveling eastbound yesterday to avoid the anticipated congestion.
"The Bay Bridge traffic is always horrible. I even took yesterday off just so I didn't have to come down today. I grew up over here, so I'm traveling the Bay Bridge constantly, and I know when not to go on the Bay Bridge," remarked Montgomery, who journeyed from Calvert County.
According to the MTA, optimal departure times for eastbound drivers on Wednesday night are after 8 p.m., while westbound travelers should consider leaving after 5 p.m.
However, some drivers, like Robert Williams, find themselves immersed in the midst of the traffic, particularly those with commitments such as traveling with an infant. Williams, en route to Pittsburgh, shared, "Normally, I would want to get up early and leave around 6 or 7 a.m. But, you know, she takes up a lot of our time."
Traffic in Easton, Maryland, began to intensify around noon. With westbound traffic, showing signs of congestion by 1 pm.
Kirk Marks, who traveled eastbound from Washington, D.C., Wednesday afternoon, expressed surprise at the early onset of traffic, even reaching Route 97. "Yeah, normally, it's not backed up that far. It's usually more closer to the bridge, so it was kind of surprising to see it backed up that far. I think it's like most people say, either go really early or go really late because it's bad during the day," said Marks.
Brian Golt, shuttling between Easton and Baltimore, emphasized the variability in travel times. "It normally takes me less than an hour from my house to the Bay Bridge, but yesterday [Tuesday] it took me two hours from my house to the Bay Bridge. So, I do travel this route a lot, but most times it's pretty good. But 5-6 o'clock in rush hour, it's busy," he stated.
Looking ahead, the MTA advises drivers to consider leaving before 10 am or after 3 pm for eastbound travel on Thanksgiving day. For westbound drivers, optimal departure times are suggested before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Travelers are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly to navigate the potential challenges posed by heavy traffic.
For the weekday and weekend travel, these are MTA's recommended times:
Bay Bridge travel times to avoid the most congested periods this holiday week are:
Eastbound:
- Wednesday, November 22 – before 9 a.m. and after 8 p.m.;
- Thursday, November 23 – before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.;
- Friday, November 24 – before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.; and
- Saturday, November 25, and Sunday, November 26 – before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
Westbound:
- Wednesday, November 22 – before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.;
- Thursday, November 23 – before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m.; and
- Saturday, November 25, and Sunday, November 26 – before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.;