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RICHMOND – Reach grandmother’s house by noon on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and you will likely beat the turkey traffic sure to hit the roadways over the holiday weekend. There are exceptions, but that is generally a good rule to follow, according to historical data collected by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) over the last two years.

VDOT is making this information available online so motorists can plan their holiday travel schedule around expected peak congestion times. Congestion on the return trip is a bit harder to predict as motorists tend to head home anytime from Friday through Sunday. However, it’s a safe bet that you’ll avoid the heaviest traffic volumes if you travel on Thanksgiving Day.

VDOT’s Traffic Engineering Division has collected speed and traffic volume data via pavement sensors at 24-hour count sites since April 2003. The most heavily congested times to travel vary by interstate, region of the state and direction of traffic flow.

Congestion is measured by analyzing the average speed and traffic volume for each hour over the course of the day. A drop in speed and corresponding rise in volume indicates a period of congestion, which may be due to an incident or heavy traffic volume.

The I-95 corridor between Richmond and I-395 in Northern Virginia, I-81 between Roanoke and Lexington, the I-81/I-77 Interchange in Wytheville and areas of I-66 in Northern Virginia saw heavy congestion (defined as more than 15 miles per hour speed reduction) during certain peak travel times over the Thanksgiving weekend in 2003 and 2004.

It is important to note that this is historical information and is not a prediction of future congestion levels. For real-time traffic and travel information, dial 511 from any phone – wireless or landline within in Virginia. Outside of the state, call 1-800-578-4111. You can also check the 511 Virginia Web site at www.511Virginia.org

The following lists interstates and hours of moderate to heavy congestion, according to historical data. For a map
click here. VDOT’s Web site also offers travel tips.

I-95 Northbound

Expect heavy congestion from Richmond to Maryland 1-10 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Expect moderate congestion 9 a.m.-noon Thursday and 1-7 p.m. Friday.

Expect heavy congestion through the northern portion of the Richmond area 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, 2-7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Expect moderate congestion 1-6 p.m. Saturday.

I-95 Southbound

Expect heavy congestion from Maryland to Richmond 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

Expect heavy congestion through various portions of the Richmond area from1-6 p.m., Wednesday. Expect moderate congestion 3-7 p.m. Friday and 3-6 p.m. Sunday.

I-81 Northbound

Expect heavy congestion from I-77 N in Wytheville to I-77 S noon-7 p.m. Sunday.

Expect moderate congestion from I-77 S to Roanoke 2-6 p.m. Wednesday and 4-9 p.m. Saturday. Expect heavy congestion 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Expect moderate congestion from Roanoke to I-64 W in Lexington noon-5 p.m. Wednesday and 5-8 p.m. Saturday. Expect heavy congestion 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Expect heavy congestion from I-64 W in Lexington to I-64 E in Staunton 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

I-81 Southbound

Expect moderate congestion from I-64 E in Staunton to I-77 N in Wytheville 1-6 p.m. Wednesday.

Expect moderate congestion from I-64 E in Staunton to I-64 W in Lexington 3-6 p.m. Wednesday and heavy congestion 10 a.m.-noon. Sunday.

Expect moderate congestion from I-64 W in Lexington to Roanoke 2-6 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and heavy congestion 1-9 p.m. Sunday.

Expect moderate congestion from Roanoke to I-77 S 1-6 p.m. Wednesday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Expect heavy congestion 8-11 a.m. Saturday.

Expect moderate congestion from I-77 S to I-77 N in Wytheville 2-6 p.m. Wednesday.

I-64 Eastbound

Expect heavy congestion through Richmond 1-6 p.m. Wednesday and moderate congestion 3-7 p.m. Friday.

Expect heavy congestion from I-64 W/I-81 in Lexington to I-64 E/I-81 in Staunton 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

I-64 Westbound

Expect heavy congestion through Richmond 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday and moderate congestion 2-7 p.m. Friday and 2-5 p.m. Saturday.

Expect moderate congestion from Charlottesville to I-81 in Staunton 3-6 p.m. Wednesday.

Expect moderate congestion from I-64 E/I-81 in Staunton to I-64 W/I-81 in Lexington 3-6 p.m. Wednesday and heavy congestion 10 a.m.-noon Sunday.

Expect heavy delays at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel from Granby Street (U.S. Route 460) to the tunnel exit noon-7 p.m. Wednesday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.

I-66 Eastbound

Expect heavy congestion from US 29 in Manassas to I-495 6-11 a.m. Wednesday and 3-6 p.m. Saturday. Expect moderate congestion 3-6 p.m. Sunday.

I-66 Westbound

Expect heavy congestion from the Roosevelt Bridge (District Line) to I-495 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday and 1-5 p.m. Friday.

Expect heavy congestion from I-495 to US 29 in Manassas on Wednesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and moderate congestion 3-6 p.m. Saturday.

Expect moderate congestion from US 29 to US 17 4-6 p.m. Wednesday Expect heavy congestion 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and 3-6 p.m. Saturday.

I-664

Expect moderate delay at the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel 2-6 p.m. Wednesday.

I-264 Eastbound

Expect heavy delays at the Elizabeth River Downtown Tunnel from the Elm Avenue Overpass to the tunnel exit 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and 3-8 p.m. Sunday.

I-264 Westbound

Expect heavy delays at the Elizabeth River Downtown Tunnel from Ballentine Boulevard (State Route 405) to the tunnel exit 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and 3-8 p.m. Sunday.

NOTE: Moderate congestion indicates a decrease in speed of 15 mph or less. Heavy congestion indicates a decrease in speed greater than 15 mph.

Page last modified: Nov. 18, 2005