If you’ve lived in Maryland long enough, you know the feeling of hitting that I-895 wall. You’re coming up from Glen Burnie or heading south from Canton, and suddenly, the red brake lights stretch out like a never-ending holiday display. It’s frustrating. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s just part of the Baltimore experience at this point. But ever since the Francis Scott Key Bridge went down in early 2024, the Baltimore harbor tunnel traffic situation has shifted from "annoying commute" to "logistical puzzle."
Most people think the tunnel is just a backup for I-95. That's mistake number one. The Harbor Tunnel (I-895) is actually its own beast, with tighter lanes, lower clearances, and a history that predates the Interstate system as we know it.
Why the Harbor Tunnel is Different Now
It’s no secret that the loss of the Key Bridge dumped about 30,000 extra daily trips onto the remaining harbor crossings. While the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 absorbed the lion's share, the Harbor Tunnel took a massive hit too. Specifically, about 7,000 additional vehicles started squeezing through those narrow 1950s tubes every single day.
You feel it most during the "Tuesday through Thursday" grind. That’s when the hybrid workers are all in the office at once. According to MDTA data, the morning rush southbound usually starts earlier than you’d expect—around 6:00 AM—and doesn't really let up until 10:00 AM. If you’re heading northbound in the afternoon, good luck between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Those aren't just "busy" times; they are the peak of the bottleneck.
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One thing that catches people off guard is the height restriction. If you’re driving a moving truck or a tall van, listen up. The Harbor Tunnel has a height limit of 13 feet, 6 inches. That sounds like a lot until you realize the lanes are also only 10 feet wide in some spots. It's tight. It’s claustrophobic. And if a truck gets stuck, the entire city’s north-south flow basically grinds to a halt for hours.
The Maintenance Nightmare
We have to talk about the overnight closures. As of January 2026, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is still deep into maintenance cycles. Just last week, they were running two-way operations in a single tube starting at 9:00 PM.
Think about that. They take two lanes of traffic from each direction and force them all into one tunnel. If you're coming home late from a game or a shift, you’re looking at an automatic 20-minute delay even if there isn't a single accident. They usually wrap these up by 3:00 AM, but if a crew hits a snag, that delay bleeds right into the morning commute. It's a gamble every time.
Tolls and the E-ZPass Trap
Nobody likes paying to sit in traffic, but if you're using the Harbor Tunnel without an E-ZPass in 2026, you're essentially donating money to the state. The "Video Toll" rate is roughly 150% of the standard rate. For a basic two-axle car, you’re looking at about $6.00 if you wait for the bill in the mail, compared to the $4.00 (or less with commuter plans) that E-ZPass users pay.
Cash is a thing of the past here. Don't look for a booth; they're gone. The gantries catch your plates at highway speeds, which is supposed to help Baltimore harbor tunnel traffic move faster, but it doesn't do much when there's a three-mile backup at the Frankfurst Avenue exit.
Survival Tips for the I-895 Grind
If you have to do this drive every day, you need a strategy. This isn't just about using Waze. It’s about knowing the rhythms of the Patapsco River crossings.
- The 2:00 PM Rule: In Baltimore, the afternoon rush doesn't start at 5:00 PM. It starts at 2:00 PM. If you aren't through the tunnel by 2:15 PM, you might as well stay at the office for an extra hour and grab dinner.
- Propane is a No-Go: This one trips up campers all the time. You cannot carry more than 10 pounds of propane through the tunnel. If you’re hauling a big RV, you’re forced onto the I-695 outer loop, which is a much longer trek now that the bridge is being rebuilt.
- Watch the Canton Viaduct: The North approach near the old Canton Viaduct has seen constant work. Even when the tunnel itself is clear, the merge patterns at the exits can change overnight.
Honestly, the best advice is to check the MDTA's live cameras before you even put your shoes on. A single stalled car in the southbound tube at 7:30 AM turns the entire I-895 corridor into a parking lot.
The rebuilding of the Key Bridge is slated for late 2028. Until then, the Harbor Tunnel is going to remain under pressure. It was built in 1957 to handle a fraction of this volume, and we're all just living in the reality of its limitations.
To stay ahead of the gridlock, download the Maryland 511 app for real-time sensor data rather than relying on GPS, which often lags by several minutes during rapid-onset incidents. If you see "Two-Way Operations" on the overhead signs, immediately consider bailing to I-95 or even the surface streets through the city if you're in a smaller vehicle. Just remember that hazmat and height restrictions are strictly enforced by police stationed at the tunnel entrances, so don't try to "sneak" a large load through to save time.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your E-ZPass account: Ensure your license plate is correctly linked to avoid the 150% Video Toll surcharge if your transponder fails to read.
- Bookmark the MDTA "Harbor Crossings" page: This provides the most accurate schedule for the 9:00 PM overnight lane closures.
- Check your vehicle height: If you are driving a rental or a new commercial vehicle, confirm it is under the 13'6" limit before approaching the I-895 entrance.