Best Times to Travel Across the Bay Bridge Ways to Pay Your Toll
Maryland 2026 - The Memorial Day holiday period sets the stage for the start of peak travel on our roads. Maryland’s toll facilities will be in high demand, especially the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as drivers cross from shore to shore. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) encourages motorists to prioritize safe driving while behind the wheel to help them reach their destinations. The MDTA is providing the best times to drive the Bay Bridge to alleviate travel delays, along with travel safety guidance.
For motorists traveling in and around the Baltimore metropolitan area, please note that the southeast section of the I-695 Beltway is closed at MD 173 (Exit 1) on the Outer Loop and at Broening Highway (Exit 44) on the Inner Loop. For more information visit https://mdta.maryland.gov/HarborCrossings. Drivers may consider the I-95 Express Toll Lanes in their travels between Baltimore and Harford counties, which features northbound lanes to Mountain Road (MD 152). Toll rates can be found at https://mdta.maryland.gov/TollRatesTables. As a reminder, highway work zones are present in our region that may feature no shoulders and/or narrow lanes that make safety of utmost importance. The MDTA implores all motorists to focus, slow down, and stay alert when driving through or near work zones.
BAY BRIDGE TRAVEL
More than 335,000 vehicles will 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.
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 alleviate eastbound delays 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.
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 core issue is traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way traffic operations, timing, or management.
Overhead 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 who fail to obey the lane-use control signals on the US 50 approaches and on the bridge. 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).
HOW TO PAY TOLLS IN MARYLAND
Tolls in Maryland are collected through E-ZPass, Pay-By-Plate, and Video Tolling. E-ZPass is the most cost-effective, saving drivers up to 77% compared to the higher rates and reducing the 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 over the holiday, 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 on Saturday, May 23, and Monday, May 25. Visit DriveEzMD.com or go to the DriveEzMD app or Google Play Store to download the DriveEzMD app. The automated system at 1-888-321-6824 is available 24/7 for account maintenance or payments.
SAFETY REMINDERS
Drivers should allow extra time to get to their destinations. Speeding equals less time to react and increases the severity of a crash. Set your GPS before you begin your trip to help reduce distractions while driving. Distracted driving puts you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road at serious risk. In Maryland, motorists must Move Over for all stopped vehicles displaying any caution signals or warning lights when approaching from the rear. Slow down if you cannot safely move over into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the stopped vehicle.
The MDTA Police and Emergency Response Units will have additional patrols on duty to respond quickly to incidents and disabled vehicles during the holiday period. If your vehicle breaks down, exit the roadway. If that isn’t possible, remain inside your vehicle and call #77 for assistance. For emergencies, please dial 911.
The MDTA Police remind drivers that it is never acceptable to drive while impaired by alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or illegal substances. Impaired driving endangers your life and others. During the holidays, law enforcement officers will remain vigilant and target dangerous driving, seat belt violations, and criminal activity. To report aggressive or dangerous driving on Maryland toll roads, call MDTA Police Dispatch at 410-537-7911.
Travelers also are reminded to pay attention to their surroundings and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. If you see something, say something. If there is an emergency, call MDTA Police Dispatch or dial 911.
For real-time updates on major incidents on Maryland toll roads, follow us on X at https://x.com/TheMDTA.
