From DCist today:

While the Maryland Department of Transportation does not have a similar map, they do recommend times to travel the Bay Bridge:
Thursday - before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
Friday - before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
Saturday - before 7 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
Sunday - before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
Memorial Day Monday - before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.

Earlier is better. I would leave at 6 a.m. Try to go when hoardes of people are still in bed. Everyone's up and on the road by 8-9.

Traffic will be worse on Friday than Saturday.

you want to be over the bridge by 8am on Saturday or else you will spend your day in the car

Best to get over the bridge as early in the day as possible. Thats where the biggest back up is.

I find that traffic gets worse and worse throughout the morning and early afternoon. I don't think 11 will be better than say 7 or 8 am. You would have less traffic if you leave earlier not at 11. Besides, if there is an accident/incident, then that will also build bad traffic throughout the day.

I think that at both times there is the possibility to be heavy with traffic.

OP. Thanks. Starting from Kensington. Going to Rehoboth. I was hoping that more people would be leaving Friday afternoon or earlier Saturday morning, and I'd be later than most.

I would try to leave early Saturday morning, around 7-8. It gets worse starting around 11.

This. Or go Friday night late.

I would try to leave early Saturday morning, around 7-8. It gets worse starting around 11.

Weather shows it will be cool so not as bad as some years, but typical time to beach for me is 2 hrs 15 minutes with little traffic, I am planning for 2.45 Saturday morning. On nice weekends it is 3.10 or so. Bethesda-Bethany.

However, the answer to your question will likely be yes. It is the unofficial first weekend of summer, after all.

Well, it might help if you tell us your starting point and your final destination.

Will traffic thin out any if we wait till 11 Saturday morning to drive to the beach this weekend or will that still be peak time?