Directions to DCA

[DCTooTall]

I was wondering if someone could give me the best driving directions to Reagan (DCA) from the Baltimore area? I'm flying out of this airport for the first time this Saturday (7am departure), and I'm getting different recomendations from the DCA website and Google Maps.

considering my flight is so early on a weekend, I'm going to assume I won't have a massive issue with DC traffic.

Since it's my first time driving to this airport, and it'll still be dark out when I arrive, I just want to try and get a better idea where i'm going before I head down there so I don't get lost.

Thanks!

 

[ssawka]

This is probably the quickest (http://mapq.st/g4THWJ) even though you have to drive through DC for a few miles.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The exit to National is clearly marked from the GW Parkway and the traffic won't be a problem that early in the morning on the weekend.

 

[nordkin]

This is probably the quickest (http://mapq.st/g4THWJ) even though you have to drive through DC for a few miles.

I disagree with these directions. I would take 95 south to 495 outer loop toward Virginia, take the exit for the George Wasington PKWY which is right at the American Legion Bridge. Follow the GW PKWY to the exit for National Airport. It is very difficult to get lost this way.

Let's look at times. 45 - 50 minutes from Baltimore to the American Legion Bridge and then another 15 - 20 to the airport.

I live near the American Legion Bridge and drive to work right by the airport 5 days a week.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

I'm going to assume I won't have a massive issue with DC traffic.

Be wary of construction and road closing wrecks, sometimes Saturdays can bite you as easy as any other day. You also have the option IF you come down the east side to stay on 295 IF 50 is jammed and come in via Pennsylvania ave to 395. WTOP Traffic and weather on 8's

WTOP is heard in the Washington DC Metro on 103.5 FM.WTOP can also be heard in Virginia south of the Beltway on 107.7 FM and in the Frederick, Maryland area on 103.9 FM you can also get traffic updates and cameras at WTOP.com

I use WTOP 130 mile roundtrip daily DC nightmare

 

[tjs198]

I disagree with these directions. I would take 95 south to 495 outer loop toward Virginia, take the exit for the George Wasington PKWY which is right at the American Legion Bridge. Follow the GW PKWY to the exit for National Airport. It is very difficult to get lost this way.

Let's look at times. 45 - 50 minutes from Baltimore to the American Legion Bridge and then another 15 - 20 to the airport.

I live near the American Legion Bridge and drive to work right by the airport 5 days a week.

I agree with this route, would not go thru town

 

[arthuruscg]

stay on 295, then 395 across the city, then to GW park way.

Also, stay away from mapquest, they are labeling 395 as 295.

 

[prncess674]

I disagree with these directions. I would take 95 south to 495 outer loop toward Virginia, take the exit for the George Wasington PKWY which is right at the American Legion Bridge. Follow the GW PKWY to the exit for National Airport. It is very difficult to get lost this way.

Let's look at times. 45 - 50 minutes from Baltimore to the American Legion Bridge and then another 15 - 20 to the airport.

I live near the American Legion Bridge and drive to work right by the airport 5 days a week.

Agree with this too!

Have you thought about an overnight stay in the Crystal City area. That is going to be one EARLY morning! You would like need to leave Baltimore at 4 or 4:30 AM

 

[ssawka]

I disagree with these directions. I would take 95 south to 495 outer loop toward Virginia, take the exit for the George Wasington PKWY which is right at the American Legion Bridge. Follow the GW PKWY to the exit for National Airport. It is very difficult to get lost this way.

Let's look at times. 45 - 50 minutes from Baltimore to the American Legion Bridge and then another 15 - 20 to the airport.

I live near the American Legion Bridge and drive to work right by the airport 5 days a week.

I agree with this route, would not go thru town

Agree with this too!

Have you thought about an overnight stay in the Crystal City area. That is going to be one EARLY morning! You would like need to leave Baltimore at 4 or 4:30 AM

I agree that taking the Beltway to GW might be easier, but it will add at least 15-20 minutes. According to MapQuest:

295 --> 50 --> 395 --> GW : 1 hour 6 minutes
95 --> 495 --> GW : 1 hour 32 minutes

And that's not even considering the construction on 495.

I agree with prncess674, it might be worth looking into getting a hotel. Look for a hotel that will let you leave your car for the length of your trip and offer a shuttle to the airport. Often the room will not cost much more than paying for parking at the airport.

 

[DCTooTall]

Thanks for the help/Advice everyone! I'm thinking I'll do the 495/GW route since i'm not super familiar with the surface streets, and tend to prefer highways anyways.

Only 2 more days!

Agree with this too!

Have you thought about an overnight stay in the Crystal City area. That is going to be one EARLY morning! You would like need to leave Baltimore at 4 or 4:30 AM

I was thinking about it.... The big problems I'm running into is that my trip is Sat-Sat, so basically i'm looking at 8 days of parking needed. The other issue is shuttle times from the hotels. My return flight isn't scheduled to arrive until 10:50pm, and MOST shuttles appear to stop running at 11pm. also, it doesn't look like many of the shuttles start until later in the morning than I was planning on getting to the airport so I don't have the stress about having enough time to check my bags and get thru security to the gate.

And it's actually worse than that time.... i'm actually coming from York, PA which is about 30min-1hr north of Baltimore.

Ultimately, from the pricing I'm seeing, is an extra $100 above the airport economy rate for the room, extra days of parking not included in the room rate, and possible taxi/super shuttle from the airport back to the hotel after my flight arrives, worth the extra 2hrs of sleep? especially since i'd be looking a dealing with a lot worse traffic to get into the area the night before.

I'm actually working an overnight shift currently, so i'm leaning towards the extra $$ not being worth it. the timing i'd have to leave to make the drive the morning of my flight would still technicaly be sleeping in for me, I'd have the extra $$ I didn't spend which I can use for splurging in Florida, and I'd probably have a lot less stress dealing with getting back to my vehicle after my return flight for the trip home.

 

[ssawka]

Thanks for the help/Advice everyone! I'm thinking I'll do the 495/GW route since i'm not super familiar with the surface streets, and tend to prefer highways anyways.

Only 2 more days!



I was thinking about it.... The big problems I'm running into is that my trip is Sat-Sat, so basically i'm looking at 8 days of parking needed. The other issue is shuttle times from the hotels. My return flight isn't scheduled to arrive until 10:50pm, and MOST shuttles appear to stop running at 11pm. also, it doesn't look like many of the shuttles start until later in the morning than I was planning on getting to the airport so I don't have the stress about having enough time to check my bags and get thru security to the gate.

And it's actually worse than that time.... i'm actually coming from York, PA which is about 30min-1hr north of Baltimore.

Ultimately, from the pricing I'm seeing, is an extra $100 above the airport economy rate for the room, extra days of parking not included in the room rate, and possible taxi/super shuttle from the airport back to the hotel after my flight arrives, worth the extra 2hrs of sleep? especially since i'd be looking a dealing with a lot worse traffic to get into the area the night before.

I'm actually working an overnight shift currently, so i'm leaning towards the extra $$ not being worth it. the timing i'd have to leave to make the drive the morning of my flight would still technicaly be sleeping in for me, I'd have the extra $$ I didn't spend which I can use for splurging in Florida, and I'd probably have a lot less stress dealing with getting back to my vehicle after my return flight for the trip home.

No matter which route you take, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. Washington traffic is very unperdictable (except that there will be some) even in the middle of the night. You just never know what you are going to run into.

Have a great trip!

 

[DCTooTall]

No matter which route you take, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. Washington traffic is very unperdictable (except that there will be some) even in the middle of the night. You just never know what you are going to run into.

Have a great trip!

I'm planning on giving myself about 2hrs to get there, with about 2hrs before the flight.

I don't really expect a lot of airport traffic at that time of the morning, so it shouldn't take me too long to get thru security, so if I'm running a little late I should still have plenty of time before I risk missing my flight.

 

[arthuruscg]

295 --> 395 --> GW avoids the surface strees too.
Keep an ear on 103.5 for traffic as you get close and have both options ready. Even then you might need a 3rd.

 

[ssawka]

295 --> 395 --> GW avoids the surface strees too.
Keep an ear on 103.5 for traffic as you get close and have both options ready. Even then you might need a 3rd.

Welcome to Washington!

 

[Cee]

I agree with one of the pp's above regarding road work. It doesn't usually end until around 5:00 a.m.

 

[skjuls]

295 --> 395 --> GW avoids the surface strees too.
Keep an ear on 103.5 for traffic as you get close and have both options ready. Even then you might need a 3rd.

This is how I would go.....

However, to get to 395 from 295, I would get off at Howard instead of 50/New York Avenue.

http://mapq.st/fDUAEi

This is what I do and my dad who lives Kentucky, this is how he gets down to DC from BWI.

But do whatever, you're comfortable with.

 

[tjs198]

And it's actually worse than that time.... i'm actually coming from York, PA which is about 30min-1hr north of Baltimore.

have you thought about going across 30 to gettysburg, then down 15 to 270, 495 & GW?

my inlaws live in York, and we travel this route from Frederick.