The Chesapeake Bay Bridge stands as one of the mid-Atlantic's most critical transportation corridors, connecting Maryland's Eastern and Western shores across 4.3 miles of open water. Known locally as the Bay Bridge, this dual-span structure carries over 27 million vehicles annually on US-50/301. During the summer travel period, the bridge handles a massive average daily traffic (ADT) of approximately 90,000 vehicles according to data from the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA). It serves as the primary gateway between the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and the beaches of Ocean City, Rehoboth, and Assateague Island. Users can also monitor live street feeds along Rowe Boulevard and West Street to check for road-level gridlock near the Naval Academy or Annapolis shopping districts.
TrafficVision provides live access to 200+ Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) cameras covering the Bay Bridge approaches, toll plazas, both eastbound and westbound spans, and the complete US-50/301 corridor from Annapolis through Kent Island to the Delaware state line. During peak summer weekends, bridge traffic can exceed 90,000 vehicles per day, creating delays that extend for miles in both directions.
Check Bay Bridge Traffic Before You Drive
Summer Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings see the heaviest congestion, with westbound backups often reaching Kent Narrows by 3 PM and eastbound delays extending past the Severn River Bridge by 8 AM. Holiday weekends see unprecedented congestion; for example, recent July 4th periods have produced backups of nearly 12 miles westbound as vacationers return from the Eastern Shore. Our interactive map provides real-time access to live street feeds and intersection cameras throughout the Annapolis area and Kent Island. Our real-time camera network covers all major bottlenecks from the Anne Arundel County approaches through Queen Anne's County to the Eastern Shore beach routes.
View Bay Bridge Cameras Now →Bay Bridge Camera Coverage
Maryland's coastal corridor includes some of the state's most congestion-prone highways, particularly during the April-October beach season when Washington and Baltimore residents flood eastbound toward Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach. Our camera network provides complete visibility across seven major traffic zones.
Westbound Span & Approaches
75+ Cameras
Westbound Bay Bridge span from Kent Island toll plaza through both bridge structures to Sandy Point exit, merge monitoring, toll booth operations, US-50 westbound from Queenstown through Stevensville
Eastbound Span & Toll Plaza
60+ Cameras
Eastbound Bay Bridge span from Sandy Point State Park through toll plaza to Kent Island, tower foundations, mid-span sections, US-50/US-301 split near Bowie
US-50 Eastern Shore Corridor
40+ Cameras
Kent Island through Cambridge to Salisbury on US-50, Ocean Gateway corridor through Easton, MD-404 junction, US-213 intersection, MD-90 split to Ocean City
US-301 Northern Approach
25+ Cameras
US-301 corridor from Delaware state line through Middletown and Centreville to US-50 merge near Queenstown, primary northern approach for Philadelphia and New Jersey beach traffic
Check Both Approaches Before Crossing
Bay Bridge traffic patterns are highly directional and seasonal. Eastbound congestion dominates Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings from April through September, while westbound delays peak Sunday afternoons and Monday mornings. Always check cameras on both the bridge itself and your approach route — backups often extend 10+ miles from the toll plaza during peak times, and earlier departure windows can save hours of delay.
Critical Bay Bridge Routes
The Bay Bridge system includes five major traffic corridors where real-time camera monitoring proves essential for avoiding extended delays.
Westbound Bay Bridge: Kent Island to Annapolis
Distance: 28 miles • Typical Time: 30-35 minutes (light traffic), 90-150 minutes (summer Sundays)
- Kent Island Toll Plaza — Westbound toll collection point where delays begin during peak return traffic
- Bay Bridge Westbound Span — 4.3-mile crossing with no exits or shoulders; accidents cause complete closures
- US-50 Sandy Point — Bridge exit and merge with local Annapolis traffic from MD-2
- US-50 Severn River Bridge — Secondary bottleneck where westbound traffic often backs up during bridge delays
- US-50/MD-665 Riva Road — Junction with local routes to Annapolis and Naval Academy
- US-50/MD-450 Defense Highway — Annapolis Beltway access and final approach to Washington corridor
Peak Congestion: Sunday 2 PM - 8 PM (Memorial Day through Labor Day), Monday 6 AM - 10 AM (holiday weekends)
Eastbound Bay Bridge: Annapolis to Kent Island
Distance: 28 miles • Typical Time: 25-30 minutes (light traffic), 75-120 minutes (summer Fridays)
- US-50/MD-450 Defense Highway — Beach traffic begins building at Parole shopping district
- US-50 Severn River Bridge — First bottleneck where eastbound lanes narrow from three to two
- Sandy Point State Park — Beach access and final services before bridge; parking lot overflow indicates heavy bridge volume
- Bay Bridge Eastbound Span — 4.3-mile crossing with steep grades and narrow lanes; crosswinds affect high-profile vehicles
- Kent Island Toll Plaza — Electronic toll collection; cash lanes cause additional delays
- US-50 Grasonville — Post-bridge merge where traffic accelerates toward Ocean Gateway
Peak Congestion: Friday 12 PM - 6 PM (May through September), Saturday 7 AM - 12 PM (holiday weekends)
Monitor Your Bay Bridge Crossing Live
Don't waste hours sitting in unexpected bridge traffic. View real-time conditions across the entire Chesapeake Bay Bridge corridor, from Annapolis approaches through Kent Island to the Eastern Shore beach routes.
View Bay Bridge Cameras →US-50 Ocean Gateway: Kent Island to Ocean City
Distance: 48 miles • Typical Time: 55-65 minutes (light traffic), 90-120 minutes (summer Fridays)
- US-50 Kent Narrows — Drawbridge and restaurant district; nautical traffic causes periodic delays
- US-50/MD-213 Centreville — Northern junction with US-301 corridor from Delaware and Philadelphia
- US-50/MD-404 Queen Anne — Eastern Shore crossroads where traffic merges from Wilmington and Dover routes
- US-50 Easton — Largest Eastern Shore town; local shopping traffic merges with beach-bound vehicles
- US-50 Cambridge — Choptank River Bridge and southern route junction to Salisbury
- US-50 Salisbury Bypass — Junction with US-13 corridor to Virginia Eastern Shore and Delmarva beaches
- US-50/MD-90 Ocean City — Final split where traffic divides between Ocean City and Assateague Island
Peak Congestion: Friday 1 PM - 7 PM (May through September), Saturday 8 AM - 1 PM (holiday weekends)
Beach Return Routes: Eastern Shore to Washington
Distance: 95-120 miles • Typical Time: 2-2.5 hours (light traffic), 4-6 hours (summer Sundays)
- Ocean City/MD-90 — Beach departure point where northbound traffic begins building by noon on Sundays
- US-50 Salisbury — Major merge point with US-13 northbound traffic from Virginia beaches
- US-50 Cambridge — Choptank River crossing where delays often extend during peak return periods
- US-50 Easton — Eastern Shore bottleneck with local shopping traffic and restaurant district
- US-50 Kent Island — Final approach to Bay Bridge where westbound backups regularly extend 5+ miles
- Bay Bridge Westbound Span — 4.3-mile crossing where accidents cause complete corridor closures
- US-50 Annapolis — Severn River Bridge and local traffic merge
- US-50/I-97 Glen Burnie — Baltimore-Washington corridor junction
Alternative Routes: US-301 North through Centreville and Middletown to I-95 (adds 30 minutes but avoids bridge delays during extreme congestion)
Peak Congestion: Sunday 1 PM - 9 PM (Memorial Day through Labor Day), particularly after 3 PM when delays peak
Washington Metro to Bay Bridge: I-95/US-50 Corridor
Distance: 35-55 miles (varies by origin) • Typical Time: 45-70 minutes (light traffic), 2-3 hours (summer Fridays)
- I-495 Capital Beltway/US-50 Exit — Primary departure point for Washington area beach traffic
- US-50 Bowie — Junction with US-301 southbound; traffic merges from Prince George's County
- US-50/MD-3/MD-424 Crofton — Suburban bottleneck where local and beach traffic converge
- US-50 Annapolis — Parole shopping district and Defense Highway junction where lanes narrow
- US-50 Severn River Bridge — First major bottleneck on eastbound beach route
- Sandy Point State Park — Beach parking and final services; lot overflow indicates heavy bridge traffic
- Bay Bridge Eastbound Span — 4.3-mile crossing where delays compound from westbound approach backups
Peak Congestion: Friday 11 AM - 6 PM (May through September), Saturday 6 AM - 11 AM (holiday weekends)
Avoid Peak Bay Bridge Traffic Windows
The worst Bay Bridge congestion occurs during predictable weekend patterns. Eastbound traffic peaks Friday 2-6 PM and Saturday 8 AM-12 PM as beach traffic departs Washington and Baltimore. Westbound delays dominate Sunday 2-7 PM when vacationers return home. Traveling outside these windows — Friday before 11 AM or after 8 PM, Sunday before noon or after 9 PM — can reduce your crossing time from 2+ hours to under 30 minutes.
According to the Maryland Transportation Authority, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge handles approximately 90,000 vehicles daily during the peak summer season, necessitating strict contraflow operations and real-time visual monitoring to manage extreme congestion.
Using Bay Bridge Cameras Effectively
Maryland's Bay Bridge camera network updates every 30 seconds during peak travel periods, providing the most current conditions available for this critical corridor. Commuting patterns in Maryland continue to evolve; according to the 2024 Maryland Commuter Survey, hybrid workers averaged 41 minutes per journey, an increase that highlights the need for reliable real-time traffic data across the state's major crossings. Check cameras systematically before any beach trip to identify delays before you reach them.
Check Bridge Span Conditions First
Start with cameras on both Bay Bridge spans to assess current crossing conditions. Look for stopped traffic, accident scenes, or maintenance activity. Bridge traffic backs up quickly because there are no exits or alternate routes on the structure.
Review Your Approach Route
Check cameras along your entire approach corridor, not just the bridge entrance. Eastbound delays often begin at the Severn River Bridge or even back to the Capital Beltway on summer Fridays. Westbound backups regularly extend through Kent Narrows to MD-404.
Monitor Toll Plaza Operations
Check cameras at the toll gates to identify cash lane backups or E-ZPass lane closures. During peak periods, toll plaza delays can add 20-30 minutes to your crossing time.
Assess Eastern Shore Corridor
Check the US-50 Ocean Gateway cameras through Easton, Cambridge, and Salisbury. Friday afternoon beach traffic often creates secondary bottlenecks at the MD-404 junction and Cambridge Bridge.
Check Return Route Before Departure
Before leaving the beach on Sunday, check westbound Bay Bridge cameras and the full US-50 approach from Kent Island back to Annapolis. If traffic is already backed up to Kent Narrows by early afternoon, consider departing immediately or waiting until evening.
Bay Bridge Camera Update Frequency
Maryland DOT cameras refresh every 30 seconds during peak travel periods (Friday afternoon through Monday morning, April-September) and every 60 seconds during off-peak times. During severe weather or major incidents, update frequency may increase to 15-second intervals. Camera angles are periodically adjusted to focus on areas of active congestion or construction work.
Best Times to Cross the Bay Bridge
Bay Bridge traffic follows highly predictable seasonal and weekly patterns dominated by beach travel from the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area to Ocean City, Rehoboth Beach, and Assateague Island.
Lightest Traffic Windows:
- Eastbound: Tuesday-Thursday any time, Friday before 11 AM or after 8 PM, Saturday after 2 PM, Sunday any time, Monday any time
- Westbound: Monday-Friday any time, Saturday any time, Sunday before 1 PM or after 9 PM
Moderate Traffic (30-60 minute delays):
- Eastbound: Friday 11 AM-2 PM, Friday 6 PM-8 PM, Saturday 6 AM-8 AM, Saturday 12 PM-2 PM
- Westbound: Sunday 12 PM-2 PM, Sunday 7 PM-9 PM, Monday 6 AM-9 AM (holiday weekends only)
Heavy Traffic (60-120 minute delays):
- Eastbound: Friday 2 PM-6 PM, Saturday 8 AM-12 PM
- Westbound: Sunday 2 PM-7 PM
Extreme Traffic (2+ hour delays):
- Eastbound: Holiday Friday afternoons (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) 1 PM-7 PM
- Westbound: Holiday Sunday afternoons (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) 2 PM-8 PM
Plan Your Beach Trip with Real-Time Data
Stop guessing at Bay Bridge traffic conditions. View live cameras across the entire Chesapeake Bay corridor and make informed decisions about departure timing, alternate routes, and rest stops.
View Bay Bridge Cameras →Alternative Routes During Bay Bridge Delays
When Bay Bridge traffic reaches extreme levels, several alternative routes can save hours despite longer distances.
US-301 North to I-95: From Kent Island, take US-301 north through Centreville and Middletown to reach I-95 near the Delaware state line. This route adds approximately 30 miles but avoids the bridge entirely. Best used when westbound Bay Bridge delays exceed 90 minutes. Total additional time: 30-45 minutes in normal traffic, but can save 1-2 hours during extreme bridge congestion.
MD-213 to US-301: From the Eastern Shore, take MD-213 north from Centreville to meet US-301 near Middletown, then continue to I-95. This route parallels US-50 but stays inland, avoiding the Bay Bridge and Annapolis approaches. Useful when eastbound Bay Bridge backups extend past Kent Narrows. Adds 35 miles but maintains consistent speeds.
US-13 to Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: For destinations in southern Maryland or Northern Virginia, consider routing south through Salisbury on US-13, crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel near Virginia Beach, then returning north on I-64 and I-95. This route adds 120+ miles but can be faster than sitting in 3-4 hour Bay Bridge delays during extreme holiday weekend traffic. Only practical for southern destinations.
Timing Shift Strategy: Often the most effective "alternate route" is simply departing 3-4 hours earlier or later than planned. A Friday 10 AM departure instead of 2 PM, or a Sunday 10 AM return instead of 3 PM, typically saves more time than any geographic alternative because it avoids peak congestion entirely.
Bay Bridge Weather Considerations
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge presents unique weather challenges that affect traffic flow and safety throughout the year.
High Winds: The bridge frequently closes to high-profile vehicles (trucks, RVs, vehicles towing trailers) when sustained winds exceed 30 mph or gusts exceed 40 mph. These closures typically occur 10-15 times per year, most commonly from November through March. Traffic cameras clearly show wind restriction signs and empty lanes when closures are in effect. Check cameras before departing with any high-profile vehicle during windy conditions.
Fog: Dense fog from the Chesapeake Bay can reduce visibility to near zero on the bridge spans, particularly during spring and fall mornings when water temperatures exceed air temperatures. The bridge rarely closes for fog, but speed restrictions drop to 25 mph, and traffic slows dramatically. Check cameras for fog conditions — if you can't see the bridge towers, expect severe delays even with light traffic volumes.
Ice and Snow: Winter storms create hazardous conditions on the bridge spans because the elevated roadway freezes before approach roads. The bridge often closes entirely during ice storms or heavy snow. Traffic cameras show treatment operations and lane restrictions during winter weather events. Maryland DOT provides advance notice of planned closures through their website and social media channels.
Summer Thunderstorms: Afternoon thunderstorms during beach season can create temporary traffic slowdowns as visibility drops and roadways become slick. These delays typically last 20-30 minutes but can compound existing congestion during peak travel times. Check cameras during active weather to assess whether storms are passing quickly or stalling over the corridor.
Regional Traffic Camera Coverage
Maryland's traffic camera network extends well beyond the Bay Bridge to cover major routes throughout the Baltimore-Washington region and Eastern Shore.
Baltimore Area: 150+ cameras covering I-95, I-695 (Baltimore Beltway), I-83, I-895 (Harbor Tunnel), and local Baltimore City routes. Essential for monitoring northern approaches to the Bay Bridge via I-97 and MD-3.
Washington Metro: 200+ cameras covering I-495 (Capital Beltway), I-95, I-270, I-66, US-50, and major District routes. Critical for planning departures from Washington and suburban Maryland to the Eastern Shore beaches.
Annapolis Area: 35+ cameras covering US-50, US-301, MD-2, MD-3, and local Annapolis routes. These cameras monitor the critical 15-mile approach to the Bay Bridge where delays often begin during peak periods.
Ocean City Resort Area: 25+ cameras covering US-50, MD-90, and the Ocean City Coastal Highway. Useful for assessing beach departure conditions before beginning the return trip across the Bay Bridge.
How long does it take to cross the Bay Bridge during peak summer traffic?
Crossing times vary dramatically by direction and timing. Eastbound crossings during Friday afternoon peak (2-6 PM) typically range from 75-120 minutes from Annapolis to Kent Island, compared to 25-30 minutes during light traffic. Westbound Sunday afternoon crossings (2-7 PM) often take 90-150 minutes from Kent Island to Annapolis. The bridge span itself is only 4.3 miles, but delays extend many miles into the approach roads on both sides. Extreme holiday weekends have seen 3-4 hour crossing times.
What causes Bay Bridge traffic to back up so severely on summer weekends?
The Bay Bridge serves as the only direct route between the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area (6+ million people) and the Eastern Shore beaches. On summer Fridays, hundreds of thousands of beach-bound vehicles attempt to cross during the same 4-6 hour afternoon window. The toll plaza and dual-span merge points create bottlenecks that can't process this volume quickly. Westbound Sunday traffic faces the same challenge as everyone returns home simultaneously. Any incident on the bridge itself — even a minor fender-bender — causes complete closures because there are no shoulders or alternate routes on the spans.
Is there a better time to cross the Bay Bridge on summer Fridays?
Yes, dramatically better times exist. Departing before 11 AM or after 8 PM on Fridays typically reduces crossing time from 90+ minutes to 30 minutes or less. Early morning departures (6-9 AM) encounter almost no traffic and allow beach arrival before check-in times. Late evening departures (8-10 PM) also flow freely and many shore accommodations offer late check-in. The 2-6 PM Friday window accounts for 75% of weekly eastbound delays despite representing less than 20% of total weekly traffic.
Can I avoid Bay Bridge traffic by taking US-301 north to I-95 instead?
Sometimes, but not always. US-301 north through Centreville and Middletown to I-95 adds approximately 30 miles but avoids the bridge entirely. This route saves time when Bay Bridge delays exceed 90 minutes, which occurs regularly on Sunday afternoons during summer. However, during moderate delays (30-60 minutes), the alternate route typically takes longer than waiting through bridge traffic. Check cameras on both routes before deciding — if you see stopped traffic extending past Kent Narrows, US-301 usually proves faster.
Why does the Bay Bridge have two different spans with separate traffic patterns?
The original span opened in 1952 as a two-lane undivided bridge carrying traffic in both directions. The parallel span opened in 1973 to handle increasing traffic volumes. Today, the newer (western) span carries three lanes of eastbound traffic year-round, while the original (eastern) span typically carries two lanes of westbound traffic. During extreme eastbound congestion on summer Fridays and Saturdays, Maryland DOT sometimes implements contraflow operations, temporarily using lanes on both spans for eastbound traffic. This configuration is visible on traffic cameras and significantly increases eastbound capacity.
Where can I find Bay Bridge street feeds?
You can find live Bay Bridge street feeds and intersection cameras by using our interactive map, which aggregates MDOT data for major surface routes like Rowe Boulevard and MD-2.
Monitor Bay Bridge Traffic in Real-Time
Stop wasting vacation time sitting in avoidable traffic delays. Access 200+ live traffic cameras and city street feeds covering the entire Chesapeake Bay Bridge corridor. Check conditions before you leave, monitor your route in real-time, and check city street feeds instantly.
TrafficVision provides:
- 135,000+ live traffic cameras across North America
- 30-second updates during peak travel periods
- Complete Bay Bridge corridor coverage
- Free access with no registration required
Related Maryland Traffic Resources
- Maryland Traffic Cameras — Statewide coverage including I-95, I-270, and I-695
- Baltimore Traffic Cameras — Complete Baltimore metro area monitoring
- Washington DC Traffic Cameras — Capital Beltway and District routes
- Virginia Traffic Cameras — I-95 corridor and Hampton Roads
- Ocean City Maryland Traffic Guide — Beach resort area cameras