I-95 Holiday Delays Expected

Approximately 42.5 million Americans are planning to travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday, with most of them planning to put rubber to the road.

Once again this year the automobile will carry 90 percent of holiday travelers to grandma’s house as an expected 38.2 million people expected to hit the roads this week, a four percent increase over last year.

“This year, it is all about family, friends, food and giving thanks for our bounty and blessings. That’s why we are projecting and seeing a big increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers, as many Americans are planning to leave town, after having foregone holiday travel over the last three years,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson. “As consumers weigh the fear of economic uncertainty and the desire to spend more quality time with their loved ones this holiday, more Americans is expected to choose family and friends over frugality.”

Gas prices in the Potomac Communities are up more than 16 percent over this time last year, averaging $3.31 per gallon. That, coupled with an economy that is improving only slightly is the reason why American’s plan to travel a shorter distance than last year, an average of 706 miles down from 816.

To help guide motorists through state and to let them know where to expect potential delays, the Virginia Department of Transportation has created interactive traffic maps based on historical traffic data outlining where, and what time of day over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend backups can occur.

Interstate 95, the main thoroughfare here in the Potomac Communities, sees delays starting Wednesday morning lasting throughout the day. It’s heaviest between 4 and 7 p.m., especially south of Dumfries, according VDOT.

Coming home on Sunday, the drivers on the highway could experience heavy traffic along the highway, especially in the Dumfries area, stated VDOT.

On I-95 and 395’s High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, regular restrictions will be in place on Wednesday and Friday, allowing vehicles with three or more occupants to using the lanes from 6 to 9 a.m. northbound and 3:30 to 6 p.m. southbound both days. The lanes will run south from 1 p.m. Friday until 2 p.m. Saturday, then will be reversed allowing drivers to head north at 4 p.m. Saturday.

On the HOV lanes on I-66 will also operate regular restrictions on Wednesday and Friday, allowing vehicles with two or more occupants to travel in them from 6:30 to 9 a.m. eastbound and 4 to 6:30 p.m. westbound inside the Capital Beltway. Outside the Beltway, left-land HOV restrictions are from 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. eastbound and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. westbound.