News4’s Megan McGrath has the lowdown on the best times to leave for Labor Day weekend travel.
About 800,000 D.C. area drivers will hit the road for Labor Day Weekend, AAA projects.
If you are hitting the road, some strategic timing can save you from getting stuck in a lot of traffic.
In general, AAA recommends getting an early start or waiting until later to leave. The Maryland Transportation Authority projected the best times to travel:
- Friday: Leave before 7 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
- Saturday: Leave before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- Sunday: Leave before 8 a.m. or after midnight
- Labor Day: Leave before 10 a.m. or after midnight
The Virginia Department of Transportation will lift lane closures from noon Friday, Aug. 30 to noon Tuesday, Sept. 3 to let traffic flow more easily. The state's Travel Trends Map can also help you plan your trip on major roads.
Headed across the Bay Bridge? Get an early start: More than 440,000 vehicles are expected to cross between Friday and Monday.
And if you're flying,the best strategy is to leave early. More than 17 million travelers are expected to take to the skies, up 4% from last year.
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