495 around D.C. ?

[papopup]

Is there a good time in the A.M. to go around D.C. without getting in alot of traffic. We will be leaving on a saturday, towing camper and planning on hitting 495 at 5:30 or 6:30 in the morning, would one time be any better than the other ? We will be going on 95 on the way down and coming home on 81, any advice would be helpfull. Thank you

 

[Suzyq9241]

I would rather be there around 5:30 am than the other!!!! I have driven to Florida the past 9 yrs and I love going down 95 to get there.... We have tried 81 coming from Virginia to NJ and we thought it was too long so we stuck to the 95's...

Well which ever way you go have a safe and magical trip!!!!

 

[goofyforlife]

What day of the week and what month.......

 

[pbharris4]

As long as it's not a weekday..it won't be as bad..unless of course there's an accident and that can happen anytime. I-495 and I-95 are a little more congested during the summer, but weekdays are always worse because of the regular commuters AND travelers. You should be OK.

 

[pbharris4]

I am originally from Schuylkill County and sometimes I would come down I-81 to Winchester and then you could get on Route 17 and follow that from Warrenton to Fredericksburg and get on I-95 there..you'll totally cut out the whole "mixing bowl" and I 495!

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Traveling I-495 (known around here as "the Beltway") at 5:30 AM or 6:30 AM on a Saturday should not be bad unless something unpredictable, such as an accident, occurs. There will be traffic even at that early hour, but it shouldn't be horrible. It is possible though that there may be detours around the Springfield Interchange (lovingly referred to as the "Mixing Bowl" area, which is the confluence of the Beltway where you can exit to either I-95 South or I-395 North). There has been major road construction there for the past 4-5 years and it will be ongoing for another year or so. For updates on construction and/or possible detrours when you are planning to travel, you can visit http://www.springfieldinterchange.com/ for updates. For general information on I-95 you can visit http://www.usastar.com/i95/homepage.htm

Have a safe and fun trip!

 

[papopup]

Thanks everyone, the web sites are very helpfull. It looks like going south should be OK, I thought the early the better if I can just get everyone moving in the middle of the night. Thanks again.