Live Traffic Cameras in Maryland: How to Check Your Commute Before You Leave

Maryland has more than 550 live traffic cameras operated by CHART — the Coordinated Highways Action Response Team, a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation. These cameras stream real-time video from highways and major roads across the state, and they are freely available to anyone with an internet connection.

Most people do not know these cameras exist. The ones who do are the ones sitting in traffic wishing they had checked before they left the house.

What CHART Cameras Show You

CHART cameras capture live video — not snapshots — using HLS streaming, meaning you see actual real-time conditions. The cameras cover every major commuter corridor:

I-495 (Capital Beltway): Dozens of cameras around the full loop through Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

I-270: Cameras from the I-495 interchange in Bethesda through Germantown and Frederick.

I-95: Coverage from Baltimore south through Prince George's County.

I-70: Cameras along the corridor through Frederick County.

US-29: Coverage from Silver Spring northward.

MD-200 (ICC): Camera coverage along the Intercounty Connector.

And hundreds more on secondary highways, interchanges, and connector roads.

When to Check

Before you leave for work: A two-minute check of three or four cameras along your route tells you whether traffic is flowing or backed up. You can make the call to leave earlier, take an alternate route, or delay departure.

When you hit unexpected congestion: If you are stopped on the highway and wondering whether the backup is a 10-minute fender bender or a multi-hour lane closure, checking the cameras ahead gives you real visual information.

How DMV Camera Watch Makes This Easier

Maryland's official CHART website has these cameras, but the interface is designed for transportation engineers, not commuters. DMV Camera Watch organizes the same 553 CHART cameras into a more usable interface with an interactive map and live HLS streams.

The feeds are free, require no login, and work on desktop and mobile devices.

Corridors Worth Bookmarking

Beltway commuters (I-495): The American Legion Bridge, Springfield interchange, and Greenbelt/College Park cameras are the most useful for spotting congestion early.

I-270 commuters: The Montrose Road interchange, Shady Grove area, and I-370 split are common bottleneck points.

I-95 south to DC: The Beltway interchange and Woodrow Wilson Bridge approaches.

US-29 commuters: Sligo Creek Parkway and Briggs Chaney Road corridors.

What the Cameras Cannot Tell You

Traffic cameras show what is happening right now. They do not predict what will happen in 20 minutes. Combine camera checks with a navigation app like Waze or Google Maps — use cameras for visual confirmation and the app for routing.

The cameras do not record or store footage. CHART has stated that live cameras are for viewing current conditions only, and no historical video is available.