Buy Tires on Sale in Maryland: But Not Until You’ve Read This Guide!

Maryland is a busy state when it comes to roads and traffic congestion, especially in the cities and built-up areas. To avoid these traffic jams as best as possible, you can stay up to date with live traffic, weather, and accident reports at these sites.

• Local Conditions Live Traffic and Weather Reports are good for checking the weather forecasts and traffic reports across Maryland.
• Live Traffic Cameras from MDOT allow you to see the roads in real-time with access to the actual traffic cams across Baltimore and other cities.
• Md511 Live Traffic News Channel is a great site to check out accidents, heavy congestion due to construction, and rush hour built-up traffic.

Year-round tires

Maryland has no seasonal tire changeover mandate, except for the 5 westernmost counties and their law on studded tires.

With hot and humid summers and mild winters in most of the state, you can drive year-round on a good set of all-season tires or even M+S (mud and snow) tires.

Performance tires change up

Alternatively, you might benefit from summer or a set of performance tires in the warmer months if you drive a sports car or high-performance vehicle. These types of tires will assist in great handling and performance in both dry heat and wet heat, plus help you achieve maximum efficiency from your ride.

Winter tires in the Appalachians

If you live in the Western regions of Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington then we recommend some good winter tires as it's here we see most snowfall and the coldest temps. In particularly wintery periods when the snow storms are endless, it’s wise to switch out to studdable winter tires to ensure maximum grip in the ice and snow. Just remember you can only use your studded tires between November 1st and March 31st.

Maryland has many rules about driving on its roads, and here are a few that you might not have known, but you must do.

Studded tires: Section 22-405 - 2 - Studded snow tires are prohibited in most counties. Except for vehicles registered to the following - Allegany, Carroll, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington between the dates of November 1st and March 31st.​

Non-motorized cycles: Section 21-1202 - Bicycles, unicycles, and play vehicles have the same rights on sidewalks as pedestrians.

Obstructing driver view: Section 21-1104 - hanging items from a rear-view mirror, such as fuzzy dice, are now a secondary traffic offense. This means that you could get a citation for having an object block your view if you are pulled over by an officer.

Headlights: Section 22-201.2 - You must turn your headlights on when it's raining. Even if it's the middle of the day and not too dark, it's the law. If your windshield wipers are on, then your lights must be also.

Turning on a red light: Section 21-202 - The law in permits drivers to turn right after stopping for a red light, as long as there is no sign prohibiting it. It is also legal to turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street if no sign says "No Turn on Red".

Following too closely: Section 21-310 - It is illegal to drive too close to the car/vehicle in front of you. You must leave enough space, a minimum of 4 seconds, for the driver in front to feel safe and uninhibited by other vehicles. The 4-second minimum should increase in wet, snowy, or icy conditions, when traveling at high speeds or when there is heavy traffic. The only instance this doesn’t apply is to funeral processions.

Seatbelt laws: Section: 22-412.3, 22-412.2 - If you are a passenger in the car, you must wear a seatbelt. Plus, if you have a child under 4, they must be in a child safety seat and if you are 15 years or younger, you must have a seatbelt on no matter where you are seated. Maryland driving law requires any person being driven by a P plater must also wear a seat belt.

Pass on the left: Section 21-303, 21-304 - It is legal to pass on either side of highways with multiple lanes. That being said, passing on the left is preferable, and we think it is much safer!

Stop for pedestrians: Section 21-504 - You must stop for any pedestrian, anywhere. You should be prepared to stop when approaching intersections, pedestrian crossings, and built-up places with a lot of pedestrian traffic.

Yielding at stop signs: Section 21-403, 21-401.1 - You must come to a complete stop at all stop signs. T-intersections and 4-way intersections. Then, the law states that the vehicle that arrived first has right of way. However, if several vehicles arrived in the same instance, then you must yield to your right and give way to the driver.

Insurance law: Section 17-104 - Uninsured drivers could face a maximum penalty of one-year incarceration, a $500 fine, and 5 points on their driver’s license.

It's illegal to park the “wrong way” on the road. I.e against the flow of traffic. If you parked on the wrong side of a two-way street then you have illegally driven on the wrong side of the road and this is deemed dangerous and punishable.

This law is part of the Maryland Annotated Code, Section 21-1004, and further requires vehicles to be parallel parked on the right-hand curb, with the right wheels less than 12 inches from the curb. The only exception to this is in one-way streets which allow diagonal parking.

Plus, as per Section 21-1003 - You may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle in front of a public driveway, sidewalk, intersection, on a crosswalk, on any bridge, a highway tunnel, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

Maryland’s window tinting laws Section 22-406 - came into effect in 1995 and consist of the following rules.

Sedan tint darkness

The windshield can have a non-reflective tint above the manufacturer's AS-1 line or top 5 inches. front side windows, back side windows, and rear windows must allow more than 35% of light in.

SUV and van tint darkness

Again, the windshield can have a non-reflective tint above the manufacturer's AS-1 line or top 5 inches. The front side windows must allow more than 35% of light in. Whereas the back side and rear windows can have any desired level of VLT. The brake light in the back window must not be covered with tint.

Window tint reflection

Window tints can reflect incoming light and reduce glare and heat. Maryland window tint law permits that all 3 vehicle types must not have any level of metallic or mirrored appearance on any front side or back side windows.

There are further window tint rules and regulations to adhere to. They include the following:

• Side Mirrors: If the back window is tinted dual side mirrors are required.
• Restricted Colors: Tint colors red, yellow, and amber are illegal.
• Certificates: Manufacturers of film need to certify the film they sell in the state. Ask your dealer if they are using certified film.
• Stickers: In Maryland, you are not required to have a sticker to identify legal tinting, but it's recommended to have one between the film & glass on each tinted window.
• Fines: It is a traffic offense if you cannot produce an SERO: Safety Equipment Repair Order requiring certification of tint in the inspection station, and you will be fined accordingly.
• Medical Exceptions: Maryland does allow medical exemptions for special tint. For more details about the specific terms of the exemption, consult your state law.

For a more in-depth look into tinting regulations, you can check out Maryland car tinting laws. Are you interested to find out more about the tinting industry? From windows, headlight tints, car wraps, residential and commercial tinting? If so you’ll find all of that and more information here.

In keeping in line with the Maryland Operation of Motorcycles, Equipment for riders mandate - Section 21-1306 - all riders and passengers must have protective headgear and eyewear whilst operating or being driven on a motorcycle.

If your ride is equipped with a suitable windshield then eyewear is not a safety requirement. However, the helmet is a must.

Maryland is home to 16 interstate highways, mainly traveling through the state and dissecting Baltimore. These are imperative for connecting the towns and cities as well as Maryland with its surrounding states.

Interstate 95 - The I-95 is the longest Interstate, at 109 miles, and also the most traveled in the state, especially between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Entering Maryland from the south at Woodrow Wilson's Bridge at the DC border, and traveling northeast through Baltimore right up to the Delaware border.

Interstate 81 - is the shortest, at 12.08 miles, and runs through Hagerstown, servicing Washington county and connecting it with Martinsburg, West Virginia in the South, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the north.

Interstate 97 - The I-97 is situated solely in Anne Arundel County and connects US Route 50 and US 301 which run parallel to each other. Connecting Annapolis and its towns of Crownsville, Severna Park, Glen Burnie, Millersville, and Ferndale to Baltimore and the Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Interstate 68 - The I-68 covers Garrett County in the topmost region of Maryland, connecting the I-79 at Morgantown, West Virginia with I-70 Hancock, Maryland. It runs 112.9 miles across the Appalachians passing through Flintstone, Cumberland, Frostburg, Grantsville, and Friendsville before cutting through the WV border. It also makes up part of the Historic National Highway.

US Route 50 - Starts at Ocean City right on the easternmost coast of Maryland, coming west to Salisbury before meandering north to Cambridge and Easton, Queenstown, Grasonville and Stevensville before crossing into Annapolis, continuing west through Bowie and into D.C.

Maryland covers 12,047 square miles of territory and spans 3 terrains including the Piedmont Plateau, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Offering limitless landscapes including beaches, coastal salt marshes, lush wetlands, rivers, estuaries, parklands, waterfalls, rugged forests, farmland, hardwood forests, man-made lakes, and state forests!

You are spoilt for choice in what to see and do, so check out some of the best scenic routes and take the path less traveled.

Atlantic Coastal Plain

Blue Crab Scenic Byway

Starting at Princess Anne, the Blue Crab Scenic Byway takes you along 43 miles of coastal tracks across Southern Maryland. Crisfield is the “Crab Capital of the World,” located right down at the waters of Chesapeake Bay, and is a must-see for Maryland crab cake lovers! You can take ferry trips to Smith Island, or simply enjoy the waterside community while indulging in what Maryland is famous for food-wise! Follow some local roads and meander through the marshlands or head back out on the highway enjoying the sites until you reach Ocean City; the final destination. With beautiful beaches and picturesque boardwalks, the Atlantic Ocean has never looked more inviting.

Piedmont Plateau

Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway

The Maryland section of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway or Route 15, runs almost vertically, right through the middle of the state and across Frederick County. You’ll trek through towns like Thurmont which provides access to Cunningham Falls State Park and the stunning Catoctin Mountain Park, all amazing for camping, fishing, hiking, and trails. To Frederick in which you can explore the charming Main Street filled with one-of-a-kind restaurants, specialty shops, and a vibrant arts community along with the historical attributes of days gone by. The full route runs from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, through Maryland and ends 180 miles later in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Appalachian Mountains

Antietam Campaign Byway

Scattered with a host of Civil War historic markers, the Antietam Campaign is a 92-mile-long route that begins at the Potomac River, right on the border with Virginia. A must for every history buff as it follows the Battle of Antietam, across the marching areas and the sunken road where 23,000 men lost their lives. The route starts in White’s Ferry, right where General Lee entered Maryland from Virginia, and, after enjoying a beautiful drive through some of Maryland's stunning scenery the byway ends in Sharpsburg. From here you can explore where the actual battle took place at Antietam National Battlefield and park with serval monuments and sites dedicated to preserving its rich history.

Mountain Maryland Byway

This scenic byway starts in Keysers Ridge and traverses through the Western mountain regions of Maryland. You can really put your touring tires to work on this route as you’ll drive in high elevations with lots of curves while following the sweeping loop to make the most of the beautiful mountain landscapes. Covering the Potomac-Garett State Forest and Savage River State Forest where you can go off-roading in your 4x4 or ATV and experience amazing ORV trails, waterways, hiking trails, and maybe even catch a glimpse of some of the prolific wildlife. You’ll pass through Wisp Ski Resort in McHenry, and when snow season hits and you’ll want to make sure you’ve got your winter tires on for the best traction around these parts! The route finishes up in Cumberland and is a 90-mile drive.

Multi-terrain tracks

Historic National Road Scenic Byway

This 183-mile drive follows parts of the historic route known as the National Road, a historic road famously built between 1811 and 1834 and was the first ever road that was federally funded. Another great road for history lovers, it traverses parts the I-68 and begins in Keysers Ridge, in the Mountainous regions, and passes through towns and markers steeped in rich history like the National Road Zero Marker Mile marker, National Road Museum, Tollgate House in La Vale, the National Civil War Medicine Museum in Frederick, Ellicot City Historical Landmark as well as countless National Parks with breathtaking scenery and landscapes to take in all. Finishing in Baltimore City, at the Star Spangled Banner National Trail.

Maryland might be small in size, being the 9th tiniest state out of the 50 that make up the US, but whatever it lacks in size it makes up for awesome historic events and fun facts!

• Its the birthplace of the U.S national anthem! Penned in 1814, “Star Spangled Banner” was adopted as the national anthem on March 3rd, 1931.
• The OUIJA board was created here by a spiritual medium and an entrepreneur in 1890. And get this, the name came to be after it was spelled out on the board during a session…
• Jousting is the national sport! Maryland first adopted the sport in 1962 and was the first state to begin this practice.
• It is illegal to wash your sink, no matter how dirty it gets?! This one is definitely a little bizarre!
• Maryland is home to the first ever official U.S school. The Boston Latin School was founded in 1635 and was a public school where John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all attended.
• Annapolis is the sailing capital of the world!
• The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use.
• Baltimore was the proud recipient of the first-ever long-distance telegram which traveled over 40 miles from Washington, DC to Baltimore, MD.