Around DC from NY to WDW, 495 East or West?

[Pluto777]

Which way has less traffic (unfortunately we must go thru DC mid afternoon when there is generally heavy traffic), 495 East or West?

 

[PrincessGidget]

We let Waze decide.

 

[Leigh L]

Honestly, you just never know; I agree, let Waze (or Google Maps) decide.

I live just outside the Beltway to the West so I go that way no matter what. It's truly a crap shoot though, especially during busy times of the day.

 

[georgina]

Which way has less traffic (unfortunately we must go thru DC mid afternoon when there is generally heavy traffic), 495 East or West?

I'll pile on with wait until you are close to decide. Yesterday they had announced they were going to open the Woodrow Wilson bridge over the Potomac at 2:30 in the afternoon. They later cancelled it because they decided the ship could make it underneath, but that would have made some issues for the eastern way. You just never know what will be going on!

 

[MaxsDad]

As others have said it will depend. But worse is South of that on 95 between DC and Fredericksburg, especially crossing the Occoquan. If you can, I would budget for the hov lanes and take those Anywhere between $20-$40 but well worth the money.

 

[KCMA]

We took the east route in the summer when heading to Richmond… it was always moving but had its slow points.. i definitely agree with previous post about the HOV/express lanes on 95 south of DC.. they were great for missing some pretty backed up sections

 

[Jimsig]

Another option is in Baltimore is to take I-895 to I-895B I-97S to MD-3 to US-301S. It takes you back to I-95 near Richmond so you skip DC altogether. You then have the option of staying on 95 through Richmond or taking I-295 south around Richmond.

If you use Google Maps on a computer you can drag a route to do this. With any luck this link will work
301 Around DC

 

[mikehn]

Like previously posted, your biggest bottleneck isnt DC. The slowdown will be from DC to Richmond. DC rush hour starts about 2:30pm. Time your drive accordingly.

 

[jimmymc]

Either 495 east or 295, more direct through the city. On holiday weekends, we would do 301 and completely bypass DC and northern VA.

 

[MikeF;NJ]

Back in the stone ages (late 1970s, early 80s), AAA used to recommend taking the eastern route. Nowadays, almost everyone recommends the western routing. Personally, the one time I took the western half of the Beltway(2017), even though we were constantly moving, the route FELT longer to me.

And, yes, I'd agree the major bottleneck is south of the merge point, heading to Fredericksburg. Can't comment about bypassing Richmond, because last few drives, I've taken the Autotrain.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Another option is in Baltimore is to take I-895 to I-895B I-97S to MD-3 to US-301S. It takes you back to I-95 near Richmond so you skip DC altogether. You then have the option of staying on 95 through Richmond or taking I-295 south around Richmond.

If you use Google Maps on a computer you can drag a route to do this. With any luck this link will work
301 Around DC

We do something similar except we get on 301 in upper DE.

 

[ncc1701]

We do something similar except we get on 301 in upper DE.

We used that coming back from Williamsburg to South Jersey last fall. Decided now that unless we are going specifically to the DC area we'll go that route in both directions. The extra times is worth it IMHO.

 

[easyas123]

Another option is in Baltimore is to take I-895 to I-895B I-97S to MD-3 to US-301S. It takes you back to I-95 near Richmond so you skip DC altogether. You then have the option of staying on 95 through Richmond or taking I-295 south around Richmond.

If you use Google Maps on a computer you can drag a route to do this. With any luck this link will work
301 Around DC

We drive from our office on the upper eastern shore of MD to our office in NC 2 or 3 times per month and we almost always used this route unless we can time it when the HOV lines are open heading south. OP - I think deciding on the fly in terms of what the real-time traffic situation is will probably be your best bet.

 

[kwdw]

You gotta check when you are close. An accident or construction can change the best option. Through the city on 295 is shortest mileage, I personally find west side a less stressful drive. BUT, traffic times can be nearly identical or 30-45 minutes different.