Labor Day weekend 2024 is fast approaching, and the Virginia Department of Transportation encourages motorists to plan ahead for smooth sailing or getting stuck in congestion.
Labor Day weekend marks the end of the summer season, and whether it is to explore one of Virginia’s many scenic trails or lounge at a beach, many people will travel through Virginia. VDOT wants to help make the trip a safe one and reminds motorists to be alert.
VDOT will suspend many highway work zones and lift most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, Aug. 30, until noon on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place.
Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.
VDOT’s online, interactive travel trends map shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming Labor Day weekend. While it cannot precisely predict when congestion will occur in 2024, it can help motorists avoid travel when traffic has historically moved the slowest.
Heavier congestion is expected throughout Virginia on Friday, August 30, and Saturday, August 31. In the Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg areas, travelers will likely experience heavy congestion on the interstates from mid-morning through early evening on Friday and Saturday. Interstate 95 northbound is expected to be heavily congested between Richmond and Fredericksburg throughout the day on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Heavy congestion is also expected on Interstate 64 in the Hampton Roads area throughout the holiday period, especially around the bridges and tunnels.
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.
Find directional schedules for the reversible I-95 and I-395 Express Lanes in Northern Virginia, and information for the I-495 Express Lanes at expresslanes.com.
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 North Carolina’s 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.
Here are 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.
- Be patient and follow the posted speed limit, and consider leaving early to allow extra time to reach your destination.
- Put your phone down and don’t drive distracted.
- Identify rest areas in advance and take a break to avoid drowsy driving.
- If an outdoor recreation site is full, never park along road shoulders, as this is not safe for those on the roadway, including emergency response vehicles.
- 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. If drivers are unable to move over, they should reduce their speed and use caution.
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).
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Rebecca Barnabi
