How bad is rush hour traffic into Washington DC?

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julie travelcaster

Actually we've been regularly ranked as the second worst traffic in the US after the LA area. So there are some that think that DC traffic is worse than New York.

You don't say where you are coming from, but there are two big suggestions to make.

Approaches from Maryland are marginally better than Northern Virginia, if only because there are more access points - the Potomac is between DC and Northern Virginia.

One thing that has not been mentioned is that parking near the tourist sights is very hard to come by. I will note that you can usually park at L'Enfant Plaza, or at Union Station, but if you plan on getting in and out of the car, there is not enough street parking already, and it will be hard to park.

Your best bet is to park at a metro station and take metro into the city. Check out the metro web site to find a station on the way to where you are going. Then just park, buy a day pass and take the subway. or park at Arlington cemetery and take the tour bus that covers the main tourist area.

P.S. The cherry Blossoms are indeed gone for this year.

signingtoday

9 or 9 is the worst time. Like others I suggest taking the subway. The parking isn't good for someone who doesn't know the area. If you are going to get a hotel room, then you might check ones near the subway (ie Metro).

Mike R

Actually it's among the worst traffic in the country, the only place that's worse statistically is California

Bouvier

If you are an impatient person, I recommend taking the metro rail system if you can. Between 8 & 9, expect to be bumper to bumper, or hitting your breaks constantly, You just cannot avoid it!!!

at 8 or 9 you will be facing a mess going into the city from virtually anywhere. But where are coming from? If you can stay near the metro then taking that into town is probably your best bet. Of course that's pretty crowded during rush hour too. Maybe better to wait till after 9.
If you are coming from farther than the metro limits then maybe consider some of the other trains, e.g. the MARC from Maryland, VRE in VA.

Soccer Tease

It's terrible and you should avoid it at all costs. The drivers are worse than those in NYC. Also, don't try to park in the city during the day. It's really easy to get towed.

Find a metro station in Virginia or Maryland and ride in. Greenbelt is good for Maryland. Van Dorn Street is good for Virginia.

hoopster

awful. take the subway.

caryn t

just stay off the beltway!

Ms J. Strange'

wowwwwwwwwww....are we talkin about 395? GW Parkway or 66?

or 295 to 495? Take your pick....

I used to work in Virginia and taking the 495 outerloop was my best bet.. but it depends where you are coming from, because you might have to take the innerloop and eitherway be prepared for stop and go...

395 Is the WORST...I mean talk about getting cut off...the only plus to this is that MACK trucks dont go through this area, but OMG..I would suggest taking GW parkway or 66 often, GW parkway although a bit long flows much better, but then again if there is an accident, you are DONE!!..66 is cool....

Good Luck!!!

KAR36

Some days might not be so bad, but others can be horrible.
Keep in mind "normal" means slow moving traffic.

I-66 is HOV only past the Beltway so you could not take that.

I-395 from the south is usually backed up for miles.

The Beltway itself can be the same, and usually there are accidents.

My thought is if you can come in earlier or later, you'd have more time to spend doing whatever you want instead of sitting in traffic.

Or, stay near the city so it is not so bad to get in in the morning. Falls Church or Alexandria or Arlington if in Virginia or inside the city. Just an opinion.

hypofocus

It's ranked the 2nd or 3rd worse in the country every year. Try to travel outside rush hour times, though even that can be bad. Better yet, take Amtrak or park at a suburban Metro (subway) stop and ride downtown.

swiftblade297

I live in NY, and I went to Washington DC, but you have to leave REALLY REALLY early, I mean it.
It takes 4-5 hours normally to get to Washington DC.
When I went there, there was a traffic jam, so it took 6 hours.
I left my house at 4:00AM and I got there at 10:00 AM.
When it comes to rush hour, i don't even know how long. If you left around 8 or 9, I would say that you would get there at around 4PM.
(I recommend you leave REALLY REALLY REALLY early)

LadyLynn

Same as the rest of the countries big. cities. Best time 11ish.

â„¢ILikeShinyThings

PURE HELL.Not as bad as NYC traffic but still its REALLY BAD.

Jeff

Looks like you hit a nerve.

All lanes (not just the left lane) of I-66 inside of the beltway are marked as HOV lanes, and outside of the beltway, the sholder has been converted into another lane during rush hour.

That should tell you something.

------------

At least with cities like NY or Boston, the public transportation system is extensive enough that you may not need a car.
Not true with DC. But good luck finding a parking spot.

The city was designed and layed out long before cars were invented.

Tim the Tool man Taylor

Are you going to see the cherry blossoms. If so Good luck getting around. Early is Good, I don't know how but i had no traffic on the Saturday after Good Friday. Around 3 i was in there.

animal lover

Probably just about as bad as it is in any other major city.

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