Baltimore announced road closures, traffic changes for Fourth of July weekend

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Drivers traveling through Baltimore over the Independence Day weekend should prepare for numerous road closures, lane restrictions and traffic changes tied to holiday celebrations, special events and the city’s Fourth of July festivities.

ALSO READ | Celebrating America 250, July 4 in Maryland | Here’s what you need to know

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) announced a series of temporary closures beginning Thursday, July 2, and continuing through Sunday, July 5.

Thursday, July 2, 2026, closures:

Washington Place and Charles Street between Mount Vernon Place and Madison Street will be closed from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. for the Roots of Revival Celebration marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Drivers near CFG Bank Arena should also expect lane closures from 8 p.m. Thursday until 1 a.m. Friday, including:

• Howard Street left lane closure from Camden to Pratt Streets
• Lombard Street right lane closure from Hopkins Place to Howard Street
• Baltimore Street left lane closure from Howard Street to Park Avenue
• Pratt Street left lane closure from Eutaw to Howard Streets

Friday, July 3, 2026, closures:

Gough Street between Wolfe and Washington streets will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the annual Wolfest event.

Fourth of July events and road closures:

Several Independence Day events will impact traffic across the city on Saturday.

The Roland Avenue Fourth of July Parade will close Roland Avenue between Deepdene Road and Upland Road from approximately 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Detours and parking restrictions will be in place.

The 10th annual Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival will partially close westbound Waterview Avenue between Hanover Street and Middle Branch Park from approximately 3 p.m. until 11:59 p.m.

Downtown restrictions for fireworks celebration:

Baltimore officials are also implementing extensive traffic and commercial vehicle restrictions in the downtown and Inner Harbor areas ahead of the city’s Fourth of July festivities.

Beginning at noon Saturday, commercial vehicles will be prohibited in much of downtown and the Inner Harbor until 11:59 p.m., with exceptions for most local deliveries.

Tanker trailers, however, will not be allowed in the restricted area, including for local deliveries.

ALSO READ | University of Maryland, Baltimore closes campus to reduce energy use during extreme heat

These commercial vehicle restrictions exclude cabs, buses and other mass transportation vehicles.

The restrictions affect major downtown corridors, including portions of Fayette Street, President Street, Light Street, Key Highway, Hanover Street, Pratt Street, Lombard Street, Baltimore Street and I-395.

Starting at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, several major streets will close until crowds disperse after the festivities, including:

• Pratt Street at Charles Street
• Lombard Street at President Street
• Northbound Light Street at Lee Street
• Southbound Light Street at Lombard Street
• Northbound I-395 at Conway Street

Additional lane closures will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday on portions of Lombard and Charles streets, while parking restrictions will be in effect on several downtown streets throughout the afternoon and evening.

Because of the anticipated crowds, city officials are encouraging attendees to use public transportation, the Charm City Circulator, rideshare services or commercial parking garages. Drivers are also urged to avoid parking in nearby residential neighborhoods.

Sunday Farmers’ Market closures

Traffic modifications will continue on Sunday, July 5, for the Baltimore Farmers’ Market under the Jones Falls Expressway.

From approximately 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the following closures will be in effect:

• Holliday Street between East Pleasant and East Saratoga streets
• Pleasant Street at Holliday Street
• Center lane closure on Hillen Street between Front Street and Fallsway

BCDOT is advising motorists to expect changing traffic patterns throughout the weekend and to allow extra travel time or seek alternate routes where possible.