DC Rush hours

[DCTooTall]

So in October I'm planning on starting my Drive down to Florida on a Friday. I'm planning on leaving EARLY to try and avoid crazy Friday Morning commuter traffic, but I don't know yet exactly HOW early I should plan on leaving.

When does DC traffic on 95 start getting bad on Friday mornings?

 

[GrnMtnMan]

If you're not through DC by 7:15-30 AM, wait until after 10.

 

[DCTooTall]

If you're not through DC by 7:15-30 AM, wait until after 10.

Thanks

 

[NJRRK]

Usually leave Northern NJ about 6:30 a.m. which puts me through DC about 10-10:30. Have never hit scary bad traffic, but I have hit traffic. The worst part of my drive leaving at that hour is Philly Rush hour but that pales in comparsion to DC or NY metro traffic.

Now, I'm used to traffic, NJ Rt 4 (scary for out-of towners ) through this part of the state has "rush hour" type traffic from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10 a.m. until about 8 p.m. on Saturdays; I even found LA traffic "not so bad." So I may not be the best judge of traffic you can get.

 

[GranddadTom]

If you get to where Rt. 95 hits the beltway north of Washington by 6:00 am you'll be fine. But whatever you do, go to the east (i.e. stay on Rt. 95) when you get onto the beltway. In the morning you'll have no problems with Rt. 95 in Northern Virginia. Believe it or not, even at that hour the traffic going west on the Beltway is getting heavy. I know because I'm there every work day at that time. Ever since the schools let out the traffic is lighter but by October the schools will all be back in session.

 

[Msmit002]

Now, I'm used to traffic, NJ Rt 4 (scary for out-of towners )

I'm from River Edge. I know what you mean.

I tend to agree with GranddadTom. DC Beltway rush hour(s) are worse than Baltimore rush hour, but don't discount that either. Luckily, you will probably miss the bulk of Baltimore's rush by getting to 495 by about 6:00-6:30.

While the wisdom to stay East and on the I-95 side of the DC Beltway is good advice, pay attention to the traffic report because if I-95 has a major collision, it will likely be faster to take 395 through DC or even the West side 495 portion of the beltway. WTOP Radio (103.5 FM) gives traffic on the 8's.