You're probably sitting in a line of red brake lights right now, wondering why nobody is moving. Honestly, if you're on Route 1 in Delaware today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, you've likely realized that the "First State" has some of the most unpredictable Sunday traffic in the region.
It’s frustrating.
While there hasn't been a massive, multi-car pileup dominating the headlines this morning, the Delaware State Police (DSP) and DelDOT are dealing with the usual cocktail of winter "spot" incidents and long-term construction projects that make the highway feel like a parking lot. Between the biting cold and the standard Sunday rush of people heading back from the beaches or North towards Wilmington, the road is stressed.
What's actually happening on Route 1 right now?
Basically, the biggest headache for drivers today isn't one single "big" crash, but a series of smaller disruptions and pre-planned closures. Earlier this morning, traffic was crawling near the Milford area. If you remember, that region has been a hotspot lately; just last week, DSP had to investigate a fatal single-vehicle crash in Milford after a pursuit. That kind of history makes everyone a bit jumpy.
Currently, if you are heading Southbound near Lewes, you’re hitting the DelDOT-announced lane closures. They are working on the Minos Conaway Road Grade Separated Intersection Project.
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Crews are out there widening the road and resetting those heavy concrete barriers. It's necessary work, but it means the road drops down to a single lane in spots, and that’s where the bottleneck starts. They usually have crews active from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., so don't expect it to clear up until the sun goes down.
- The Dover Crawl: Watch out around the Bayside Drive and Pickering Beach Road area. There’s been heavy police activity in that vicinity recently, often spilling over into Route 1 rubbernecking.
- Weather Factors: It’s January 18th. The ground is freezing. While the roads look dry, "black ice" is a real threat on the overpasses near Odessa and the Roth Bridge.
The "Move Over" Law is not a suggestion
One thing most people get wrong about Delaware Route 1 accidents is the cause. It's rarely just "bad luck." Honestly, a lot of it comes down to people not paying attention to the Move Over Law.
When a DelDOT truck or a DSP cruiser is on the shoulder with their lights flashing, you have to move over. Not long ago, a DelDOT truck was hit on Route 113 in Georgetown—which is just a stone's throw from the Route 1 corridor—simply because a driver didn't merge left.
If you see those yellow or blue lights today, just move. It saves lives, and frankly, it prevents the secondary accidents that cause those four-hour delays we all hate.
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Real-time ways to check the mess
If you're stuck, don't just guess. Use the tools. DelDOT has a pretty solid interactive map that shows live traffic camera feeds. You can see exactly how deep the queue is at the Biddles Corner toll plaza or the Dover toll.
Usually, if there's a fresh accident on Route 1 today, it’ll pop up on Waze first, but the official DelDOT app is where you'll find the "Estimated Time of Clearing."
Another tip: if Route 1 is totally purple on the map, look at Route 13. It’s the old-school way to travel north-south, and while it has more stoplights, it doesn't get the same high-speed "chain reaction" accidents that shut down the highway for hours.
Navigating the construction zones
The construction near Lewes is going to last for roughly four weeks. It's weather-permitting, so if we get a sudden snow squall this afternoon, the crews might pack up, but the barriers stay. Those barriers make the lanes feel incredibly narrow.
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- Lower your speed: The limit drops in work zones, and Delaware State Police are notorious for sitting just past the "End Construction" signs.
- Stay in your lane: Changing lanes in a barrier-lined zone is how side-swipe accidents happen on Route 1.
- Check your tires: Seriously. Cold weather drops your tire pressure. A blowout at 70 mph on the Roth Bridge is a recipe for a disaster that will ruin everyone’s Sunday.
Actionable insights for your drive
If you haven't left yet, wait until after 7 p.m. The "Sunday Return" traffic usually peaks between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. as people head home from the weekend.
Keep your radio tuned to local updates or keep your navigation app open even if you know the way. On Route 1, an accident can happen in a nanosecond—one person hits a patch of ice or a deer, and suddenly the Southbound lanes are closed for an investigation.
Check the DelDOT Travel Advisory page before you put the car in gear. If you see a "Serious Collision" alert, take the detour through Route 13 or Route 113 immediately. Don't wait until you're already trapped between exits.
To stay safe and avoid the worst of the Delaware Route 1 accident today risks, double-check your tail lights and keep a safe following distance. Most of the wrecks on this road are simple rear-end collisions caused by people following too closely in heavy traffic. Take a breath, turn on a podcast, and get home in one piece.