August 29, 2019
Whether you’re headed out of town or organizing the ultimate staycation, use the 95 Express Lanes to get where you’re going faster.
Check out these tips from the Express Lanes team before hitting the road – and see how lane reversals after Labor Day could impact your daily commute.
Know before you go
All you need to use the Express Lanes is an E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex.
And it pays to plan ahead. Toll prices may be higher-than-normal during busy travel times. Live traffic updates and toll prices are available 24 hours, 7 days a week at ExpressLanes.com and on the Express Lanes mobile app (available for free at the Apple and Google Play app stores).
To keep the Express Lanes free-flowing and to give you a quicker trip, toll prices can change every 10 minutes during busy travel times. Drivers should also get prepared for the soon-to-be 395 Express Lanes, opening this fall.
What to expect and when to travel
If you’re traveling on I-95, here are the best times to drive:
The road will likely be busiest from Wednesday, August 28 to Friday, August 30, based on travel patterns this time last year.
In 2018, more than 260,000 trips were taken on the 95 Express Lanes between Wednesday, August 29 and Monday, September 3. Drivers who took the 95 Express Lanes saved an average of 28 minutes during busy travel times – with some saving more than one hour – compared to those who took the regular lanes.
A heads up
The 95 Express Lanes reversal schedule will help make travel in the area easier. When you’re planning a trip, don’t forget to factor these in changes as the summer reversal schedule ends and normal traffic patterns pick back up on Monday, September 3:
Once you’re on the road, live traffic updates and toll prices will be available on overhead signs. Information will also be available on Twitter (@VAExpressLanes), but for your safety, don’t check your phone when you’re behind the wheel. Have someone in the car give you the latest or pull over for a quick pitstop.
Safe travels,
The Express Lanes team