Travel tips for Thanksgiving 2019

November 25, 2019

The express version

  • To save time and take advantage of lower tolls, the Express Lanes team encourages drivers to use the 95 and 395 Express Lanes on Tuesday, November 26, before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m. or Wednesday, November 27, before noon or after 5 p.m.
  • Drivers could save more than one hour in travel time by taking the 95 and 395 Express Lanes this week
  • Last Thanksgiving, drivers who used the 95 Express Lanes saved an average of 32 minutes. Those who traveled an hour before or after the busiest travel times saved between 20 to 25 percent off their tolls

Before drivers hit the road this Thanksgiving, the Express Lanes team recommends planning ahead to avoid traffic and delays.

Traffic on I-95 is expected to surge on Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27. If last year is any indication, drivers could save more than one hour in travel time by taking the 95 and 395 Express Lanes this week. The now open 395 Express Lanes begin near the Pentagon and run 8 miles south to near Edsall Road. 

What to expect and when to travel

In 2018, more than 227,000 trips were taken on the 95 Express Lanes between Tuesday, November 20 and Sunday, November 25. Drivers who took the Lanes saved an average of 32 minutes, with some saving more than one hour compared to those who took the regular lanes. In fact, drivers who traveled an hour before or after the busiest travel times saved between 20 to 25 percent off their tolls.

This year:

  • Traffic will likely be heaviest on Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27. For drivers going south, the best times to travel include:
    • Tuesday, November 26: Before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
    • Wednesday, November 27: Before noon or after 5 p.m.
  • Toll prices may be higher than normal during busy travel times, so it pays to plan ahead. Drivers can check real-time toll pricing and live traffic updates by heading to ExpressLanes.com or downloading the free Express Lanes mobile app (Apple App Store® or the Google Play Store®).
  • To help the region with the changing holiday travel patterns, the 95 and 395 Express Lanes reversal schedule will be adjusted:
    • Wednesday, November 27: Southbound opens around noon.
    • Thursday, November 28: Northbound opens around 2 a.m. and remains all day.

How to stay updated

Once drivers are on the road, pricing and traffic updates will be available on overhead signs. Updates will also be available online via Twitter(@VAExpressLanes).

As a reminder: An E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex is required to use the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes. If out-of-town visitors accidently travel on the Lanes without an E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex, they can head to ExpressLanes.com/pay or contact the customer service center at 1-855-497-9777.