Worst Travel Times For Thanksgiving 2019 In DC Region, Virginia

WASHINGTON, DC — Thanksgiving tends to be one of the busier holidays for travelers in the DC region and across the U.S. This year, AAA Mid-Atlantic projects almost 1.35 million DC area residents will travel long distances during the extended holiday weekend. Across the country, over 55 million people are expected to take long-distance trips. These projections call for the second highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000, second only t0 2005.

According to John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s public and government affairs manager, travel times could start to increase on the Sunday of Thanksgiving week. However, AAA Mid-Atlantic projects the busiest travel time will be the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 27. The peak travel time is expected between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. INRIX projects delays will be multiplied by 2.8 during this two-hour period.

"Even Thanksgiving Day itself will be heavily traveled," said Townsend. "It will know no surcease until the Monday afterward."

The majority of DC area travelers projected by AAA will be on the roads. The estimated 1,221,000 DC metro residents traveling by car is a 2.1 percent increase from 2018. AAA recommends hitting the road during off-peak times, which includes early morning or later in the evening. If possible, avoid afternoon and early evening travel on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and Sunday, Dec. 1.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has its own projections for peak congestion around the state:

• I-66 and I-95 in Northern Virginia: Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• I-66 west between Capital Beltway and Prince William Parkway: Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• I-64 west in Hampton Roads: Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• I-95 north between Richmond and Fredericksburg: Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• I-95 south around Fredericksburg: Thursday, Nov. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• I-95 north in Northern Virginia: Friday, Nov. 29 from noon to 6:30 p.m.
• I-81 between Ironto and Staunton: Sunday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• I-64 east near I-81 interchange at Lexington: Sunday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

VDOT plans to lift most lane closures from noon Wednesday, Nov. 27 until noon Monday, Dec. 2. A list identifies some exceptions where drivers may encounter semi-permanent work zones or travel delays.

On Thanksgiving, VDOT will lift HOV restrictions on I-66. In Hampton Roads, HOV restrictions will be lifted on I-64/I-264/I-564 HOV Diamond Lanes and 64 Express Lanes from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27 to noon on Monday, Dec. 2. Express lanes tolls will be lifted on Thursday, Nov. 28. Transurban's I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes will remain open but run on reversible schedules.

Real-time traffic information in Virginia is available at 511Virginia.org, the free 511 app, and by calling 511.