VDOT lifts lane closures for Memorial Day weekend to kick off summer travel season

RICHMOND — One of the busiest travel times of the year is coming up with the Memorial Day weekend, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants to make your trip to the beach, mountains or beyond a safe one. 

VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 24, until noon on Tuesday, May 28.

While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state. 

Additionally, VDOT offers several resources to help plan travel ahead of time. 

Travel trends map helps predict congestion

VDOT's online, interactive travel trends map shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. While it cannot precisely predict when congestion will occur this year, it can help motorists avoid travel when traffic has historically moved the slowest. 

Based on historical data:

• On Interstate 95 northbound, heavy congestion is expected on Friday and Saturday between Stafford and the D.C. line and on Monday in the Stafford-Fredericksburg area.
• On Interstate 95 southbound, congestion is expected between the D.C. line and Richmond on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday and Monday in Northern Virginia.
• In the Hampton Roads area, congestion is likely, especially on Interstate 64 approaching the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel eastbound on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and going westbound on Friday and Monday.
• On Interstate 81 northbound, pockets of congestion may appear on Monday between Roanoke and Winchester.

Plan ahead with VDOT 511: traffic info at your fingertips

VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and more. Use 511’s “speak ahead” option for hands-free and eyes-free audible traffic alerts for incidents and construction along your route. Traffic information is also available at 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.

Northern Virginia Express Lanes schedule and other information

• Find directional schedules for the reversible I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes, and information for the I-495 Express Lanes at expresslanescom.

Hampton Roads HOV schedule, tunnels and other information

• Travel to Virginia Beach — Peninsula traffic to Virginia Beach is encouraged to use the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternative to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). If traveling to Virginia Beach, take I-664 south to the MMMBT. Then take the Portsmouth/Norfolk exit (exit 15A) to I-264 east to Virginia Beach.
  
• Travel to Outer Banks — Traffic to the North Carolina Outer Banks should use I-664 and the MMMBT as an alternative to the HRBT to save time. From I-664 south, take I-64 west (exit 15, Chesapeake/Virginia Beach) to exit 291B (Chesapeake Expressway (Route 168)/Great Bridge/Nags Head). Continue south on Route 168 to the Outer Banks.

Stay safe

Here are some additional tips for safely navigating the roadways during the holiday weekend:

• Buckle up every time and ensure passengers and car seats are secured.
• If you plan to drink, have a designated driver.
• Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in case traffic suddenly stops or slows down. 
• Be patient and follow the posted speed limit, and consider leaving early to allow extra time to reach your destination. 
• Use your signals for lane changes and turns. 
• Put your phone down and don’t drive distracted. 
• Use caution as more pedestrians and cyclists are outdoors taking advantage of warm weather. 
• Obey the “Move Over” law, requiring motorists to move over one lane, if possible, for all vehicles with flashing lights, flares, or warning signs stopped on the side of the road.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).