William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge
(US 50/301)

The Bay Bridge crosses the Chesapeake Bay along US 50/301. Its dual spans provide a direct connection between recreational and ocean regions on Maryland's Eastern Shore and the metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C. At four miles, the spans are among the world's longest and most scenic over-water structures. The original span opened in July 1952 and provides a two-lane roadway for eastbound traffic. The parallel structure opened in June 1973 and has three lanes for westbound travelers. During periods of heavy eastbound traffic, one lane of the westbound bridge is reversed to carry eastbound travelers ("two-way" traffic operations).

The Bay Bridge operates using an E-ZPass electronic tolling system.

FY 2017 traffic volume - 27.2 million vehicles.

The Best Times to Travel the Bay Bridge:

Travel off-peak when crossing from shore to shore. 

Travel off-peak when crossing from shore to shore. The best times to cross the Bay Bridge on weekends include:

• Friday
  • Eastbound before 10 a.m. & after 9 p.m.
  • Westbound before 10 a.m. & after 8 p.m.
• Saturday
  • Eastbound before 7 a.m. & after 6 p.m.
  • Westbound before 9 a.m. & after 7 p.m.
• Sunday
  • E​​​​​​eastbound before 10 a.m. & after 7 p.m.
  • Westbound before 11 a.m. & after 10 p.m.

Hazardous Materials:

Vehicles carrying Class 1 explosives and radioactive materials require an escort to cross the Bay Bridge. For additional information regarding these restrictions, please call 410-537-6601.

Additional Information:

• Visit baybridge.com, the official website for the Bay Bridge.
• Visit the Bay Bridge Traffic Advisory page.

William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge History:

The [Facility Name] is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.  For more information about its history, follow link to learn more.

William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge Quick Facts:

• Estimated Annual Traffic:
  • 1952:     1.1 million vehicles (eastbound span opened)
  • 1972:     6.5 million vehicles
  • 1973:     7.3 million vehicles (westbound span opened)
  • 1980:   10.2 million vehicles
  • 1990:   16.6 million vehicles
  • 2000:   23.7 million vehicles
  • 2010:   26.4 million vehicles
  • 2019:   27.6 million vehicles
• Traffic Capacity (both spans):
  • 1,300 -1,500  vehicles per lane, per hour*
    *This capacity assumes idealized conditions—factors such as adverse weather, two-way operations, roadwork, and roadway incidents typically reduce capacity
• Construction-Start Dates:
  • November 1949 (eastbound span)
  • May 1969 (westbound span)
• Opening Dates:
  • July 30, 1952 (eastbound span)
  • June 28, 1973 (westbound span)
• Construction & Rehabilitation:
  • Eastbound Span original construction: $45 million
  • Westbound Span original construction: $148 million
  • Westbound Span painting (2010): $30.9 million
  • Bay Bridge 2022-2027 Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP): $335.7 million
• Location:
  • Two-span bridge between Sandy Point and Stevensville, MD
• Overall Lengths:
  • Shore-to-shore, including causeway: 4.35 miles (eastbound), 4.33 miles (westbound); Bridge structure abutment to abutment: 4.03 miles (eastbound), 3.987 miles (westbound)
• Height:
  • Vertical clearance: 186 feet Height of suspension-bridge towers: 354 feet (eastbound), 379 feet (westbound)

Other Information:

• MDTA Facility Dedications