HANOVER, MD (May 20, 2025) – Maryland anticipates heavy travel across roads, rails, and skies this Memorial Day weekend, prompting the Maryland Department of Transportation to launch its Serious About Safety campaign. With thousands expected to travel over 50 miles from home, officials urge drivers to buckle up, slow down, stay focused, and drive sober to reduce roadway fatalities.
“Summertime is when many Marylanders explore our state’s beauty and create life-long memories,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Historically, the summer months are also when we see an increase in deadly crashes across the state. Help us save lives this summer.” Wiedefeld emphasized safe driving practices to support Maryland’s goal of zero roadway deaths.
AAA projects 45.1 million people nationwide will travel more than 50 miles during the holiday weekend, including 39.4 million by car and 3.6 million by air. In Maryland, heavy traffic is expected toward Eastern Shore beaches from Thursday to Saturday, with return trips peaking on Monday. The State Highway Administration will suspend non-emergency roadwork from 3 p.m. Thursday, May 22, to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, to ease congestion and protect workers.
Over 340,000 vehicles are projected to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from May 23 to May 26. Motorists should stick to US 50 to avoid congesting local roads. Optimal travel times include before 10 a.m. or after 10 p.m. eastbound on Thursday, and before 9 a.m. or after 10 p.m. westbound on Monday. Real-time updates are available at Baybridge.com or by calling 1-877-BAYSPAN.
Last year, Maryland recorded over 575 road fatalities, with 150 already reported in 2025. The department highlighted common crash causes: speeding, aggressive driving, impaired driving, and distractions like cellphones. Safety tips include designating a passenger to handle distractions, allowing extra travel time, and ensuring vehicles are road-ready using a checklist at ZeroDeathsMD.gov.
Maryland’s Click It or Ticket campaign, running through early June, enforces seat belt laws, with fines of $83 per unbelted passenger under 16. The Move Over law requires drivers to shift lanes or slow down near vehicles with warning signals. For emergencies, drivers should pull off the road and call #77.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport expects crowded terminals after 27 million passengers in 2024. Travelers need REAL ID-compliant identification and should allow extra time for check-in and security. Real-time parking and checkpoint information is available at the BWI Marshall website.
The Maryland Transit Administration will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Memorial Day, affecting CityLink, LocalLink, Light RailLink, and MetroSubway. Commuter Bus Route 201 will follow a Weekend/Holiday “S” schedule, and MobilityLink subscription rides will be suspended. Schedule details are at mta.maryland.gov.
The Coordinated Highways Action Response Team will increase patrols to assist stranded motorists. Ramp management plans in Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s counties aim to reduce congestion on US 50. More details are available at the Anne Arundel County plan and Queen Anne’s County plan.
