Heavy traffic expected for 4th of July, especially in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — If you’re planning to travel to Virginia Beach or the Outer Banks for this 4th of July, make sure to prepare for the traffic.

Based on historical data from VDOT, routes to and from Virginia Beach are likely to be congested between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the holiday period. The days of highest travel on the interstates are likely to be on Wednesday and Sunday, with moderate to heavy congestion likely from noon through 7 p.m., according to VDOT.

• Travel to Virginia Beach  —  Peninsula traffic to Virginia Beach is encouraged to use the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT) as an alternative to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). If traveling to Virginia Beach, take I-664 south to the MMMBT. Then take the Portsmouth/Norfolk exit (exit 15A) to I-264 east to Virginia Beach. 
• Travel to Outer Banks  —  Traffic to the North Carolina Outer Banks should use I-664 and the MMMBT as an alternative to the HRBT to save time. From I-664 south, take I-64 west (exit 15, Chesapeake/Virginia Beach) to exit 291B (Chesapeake Expressway (Route 168)/Great Bridge/Nags Head). Continue south on Route 168 to the Outer Banks.

In Virginia Beach, performances for the Fourth of July Stars and Stripes Celebration begin at 7 p.m., July 4, in the parks at 17th, 24th and 31st streets, with fireworks launching at 9:30 p.m. from a barge at 24th Street. People are encouraged to arrive early in the day to minimize traffic congestion. Visitors who arrive later in the afternoon or early evening should expect extremely slow-moving traffic as well as heavy pedestrian traffic.

A daily flat rate of $22 on July 4-6 and a flat rate of $15 on July 7 will be charged at all municipal garages and lots in the Resort Area. Residential rates after 5 p.m. will remain at $3. 

Residents can sign up to receive event updates and emergency alerts for major events at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with anticipated attendance of more than 10,000 per day. Text VBEVENTS to 67283 to opt in.

• If you plan to drink, have a designated driver. 
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so. 
• Always wear your seat belt — it’s your best defense against impaired and distracted drivers. 
• Put your phone down and don’t drive distracted. 
• Use caution as more pedestrians and cyclists are outdoors enjoying the holiday. 
• Obey the “Move Over” law, requiring motorists to move over one lane, if possible, for all vehicles with flashing lights, flares, or warning signs stopped on the side of the road.