If you are driving your RV around Baltimore then you will need to ask yourself – Can An RV Go Through Baltimore Tunnel? I will explain the facts around Baltimore tunnel and whether you can drive your RV through it.

Can An RV Go Through Baltimore Tunnel?

Some RVs can travel through both the Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels in Baltimore, Maryland. However, hazardous material restrictions prevent any RV carrying more than 10lbs of propane in a container from traveling through either tunnel. Those RV users will have to seek alternative routes.

Why RVs Can’t Go Through The Baltimore Tunnel?

Some RVs can travel through both of the main tunnels in Baltimore. However, there are two restrictions that need to be considered:

A maximum of 10lbs of propane per propane container
A maximum of 10 containers (up to a maximum of 100lbs of propane across them)

The reason why propane is restricted is due to how inflammable it is. Obviously, nobody wants an RV exploding in the middle of a tunnel. This is going to destroy the surrounding infrastructure.

You should also be aware that propane can leak out of your system. This isn’t going to be too much of an issue if it only happens to one RV. However, if you have dozens and dozens of RVs over a period of time leaking propane into the tunnel, this will cause issues.

The propane will start to pool in the tunnel. All it would take is a single spark to send the pooled propane up in flames.

Now, there are some people that do report that they have gone through both Baltimore Tunnels without being checked by anybody. This includes while they were traveling with propane. However, it is not recommended that you even attempt it. There are random checks every so often. If you are caught, then you will be diverted. If you aren’t caught, then you are going to be putting the lives of other people at risk.

Alternative Routes to Baltimore Tunnels

The alternative route to the Baltimore tunnels will be the I-695 Beltway. There are a couple of routes that you can take here.

If you head on the north route, then there will be no tolls. The journey will take ever so slightly longer, though. Because, as with most roads that have no tolls, the traffic can build up rather quickly. So, if you are using your RV during one of the busiest times of the day, then you can expect there to be some rather hefty waits along the route.

The second option is the south route. This is going to take you over the Francis Scott Key Bridge. There will be tolls on this bridge (it is around $4.00). The tolls are now issued by video tracking, so you won’t have to take cash onto the bridge with you.

The major benefit of heading south is the fact that it is going to be a whole lot quicker. Even on the worst of days, heading over the Francis Scott Key Bridge is going to be a fairly decent experience. Traffic will hardly ever build up there. Well, at least outside of the main holiday days in the United States.

Other Tunnel Restrictions for RVs

There are a couple of other restrictions for traveling through the Baltimore tunnels. However, very few of these restrictions are going to be applicable to RVs e.g. you cannot carry hazardous materials. The one thing that you may need to think about here is whether you are carrying any spare gasoline. If you are, then the same restrictions are going to apply as if you were carrying propane. This means that you cannot carry more than 10lbs in a container, and you can only have a maximum of 10 containers in your RV.

Both of the tunnels have a maximum height of 13-feet, 6-inches. They have a maximum width of 8-feet. If your vehicle is larger than that, then you will need to take an alternative route. However, the vast majority of RVs that are available for sale in the United States should be fine for those that want to travel through the tunnel.

The only other concern is double trailering.

If you have a car that is towing the RV, and then the RV is towing a trailer or another vehicle, then you will not be allowed to travel through either of the Baltimore tunnels. You will need to take one of the alternative routes.