How bad is traffic going to be on Inauguration day?

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Adam

If you're doing the drive from Front Royal to Manassas, I would think that you might experience some heavier traffic than normal, but nothing outrageously bad.

Given that it's a federal holiday, many people will not be heading to work in Northern Virginia, reducing traffic significantly. The only real questions are "How many people in Front Royal are planning to attend the inauguration?" and "How many of those people will be driving into Northern Virginia?" My guess? Not many. People staying past Fairfax should understand that their chances of driving a car into Arlington or D.C. will be about zilch as they won't have any place to put it. Hopefully that will reduce car traffic immensely.

If, however, you wake up on Jan. 20 and the news is reporting that 66 is jammed, I would just take the back route that fewer people are likely to take: I-81 to Route 50 to Madison Highway OR I-81 to Route 7 to the Toll Road, and then take Route 28 down into Manassas. It's a pain in the neck, but it'll get you there.

Rosie is Chief Justice

Don't use the vacation day to miss traffic, take a vacation day to relax and use traffic as an excuse. Go get it girl!

jeepsarecool

Leave at least an hour earlier than usual.

VeggieTart (The Cranky Agnostic)

I have heard that parts of 66 will be shut down, but I don't know how it will be that far outside DC. I don't think they're going to restrict it as far as Front Royal and Manassas, but it can't hurt to leave 30 to 45 minutes earlier than normal and hope for the best. Hopefully, your supervisor will understand if people are late.

dankohner1

Should not be a problem that far from DC. Manassas is about 30-40 minutes from DC. That far from DC none of the roads will be closed.

Julie R

I would ask your employer what s/he thought. Considering most of the city is being shut down, at least if you are late, they'll know why.

JMK45

As another answer suggested, from Front Royal to Manassas, the traffic shouldn't be that bad, especially since most of the usual communter traffic won't be there since it is a Federal holiday and many businesses in the road closure affected areas have given employees off (I myself am working from home that day).

Most people who are traveling to DC will do so on 66, so if 66 does get backed up, you cab hop off and take Rte 55 which runs paralled to 66 from Marshall to Gainesville.

DON W

I've been tracking this in the Washington Post and on the radio stations. The short answer is that nobody knows for sure, but the best estimates are that record crowds will be trying to get to DC that day, creating enormous traffic jams on all roads nearby.

You have an advantage in that you are only going as far as Manassas. Most of the worse delays will probably be closer in.

My suggestion? If you can easily get the day off from work, do so. If you have to go to work, try to map out an alternate route that would avoid I-66.

Good luck!

Busy Mommy

Stay home. Traffic will be awful!

Have no clue about the traffic patterns in that area, just seems like a good reason to stay home :)

Greg C

It will be worse than a snow day in DC. I know you don't want to burn leave, but trust me, this is a day you want to do it. At its best, DC will be a mess, and at its worst, it will be a nightmare. Picture everywhere you walk being like spawning upstream as a salmon.

Save the Drama....for Your Mama

I'm with Rosie. Take a vacation day but use traffic as the excuse!!

KKM

According to the AP, all private vehicles coming from Virginia will be barred from entering DC. Public transportation will run. If I were you, I'd take the day off. I sounds as though it will be impoosible to move in DC until after the ceremony is over.

Ruby

Keep in mind that a lot of bridges into DC are going to be closed that day! When you say you are taking 66 and you work 40 miles outside of DC, does that mean you will be going west? I imagine most people will be going east so it may not be as hard to get to work as you may think. Either way, you may want to plan on leaving at least somewhat early, there may be some crazies out there experimenting with new routes. Either way, if your boss is a considerate person, he/she will understand if you are a little late to work. Good luck to you!

Joshua M

Seriously consider sleeping in your office the night before and the night after.

Ian

Just stay at a strip club near your work the whole night before Inaguration Day. Then you won't have to worry about traffic.

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