Driving 495 Beltway around DC

[Goofy Fan]

It seems that almost all people travelling south on I95 around Wash. DC will take the 495E route around DC. Even AAA will map that route if you don't want to take I295 from Baltimore. Is there a reason why more people don't take the 495W loop around DC to get back on I95? The mileage difference seems to be minimal (about 5 miles or less). Don't you avoid the WW bridge going 495W? Just being curious as we are driving down in 2 weeks and I am considering the 495W loop.

 

[alvernon90]

Actually, under normal circumstances I would advise people to go the other way around the Beltway, just because traffic is lighter and you're less likely to get backed up behind an accident. I think that on average it's quicker to go west when making the loop around, and most people go east because that's what the signs tell them to do.

However, there is currently some construction going on at the northern strip of the Beltway that might slow things down a bit. (People who drive it every day might be able to give you a better idea of how construction will affect you, it really wasn't that bad the last few times I drove through.)

It will really boil down to luck and timing; you may as well flip a coin to decide which way to go.

 

[candleonwater]

I live in the area, and travel the Beltway every day...

From a pure drivers standpoint... the West is more "fun" because there are fewer trucks. However, the transition to 95S (off of the beltway), in my opinion, is easier from the East. Of course, this CAN change depending on the time of day, but with all the construction going on at the Springfield interchange... the delays from the West much of the time are up to 2 miles long, just for the exit to get onto 95S. AND the merge onto 95S is a bit easier from the East.

Our family joke about the "mixing bowl" at Springfield is - the easiest way to get through is to just close your eyes and hope for the best! Merging there is a NIGHTMARE!

 

[Braque]

We planned on trying 495W route, it seems a bit shorter mileage-wise. We absolutely must catch the train in Lorton. How much time should we budget for sitting in traffic around 495W say around 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM?

 

[candleonwater]

First I would suggest setting your radio to 1500 am or 107.7 FM for WTOP - they have traffic reports every 10 minutes (on the 8's)... and at that time of day I would say, with no accidents, you should need no more than 1/2 hour max...

 

[Selket]

I live in the MD suburbs and sometimes travel around the beltway on the western side to get to 95 south and all I can say is just figure out how long you think it will take and add another hour to it and you shouldn't get too frustrated. And if you get there faster you'll be happy! We went that way to get to Springfield, VA to visit my husband's cousin last Sat. afternoon (not exactly rush hour!) and we waited forever and one day to merge off 495 onto 95 (the mixing bowl area). Note that weekend traffic can be as bad or worse than rush hours sometimes. If you get a broken down car or an accident you'll be in for a long wait. DEFINITELY listen to WTOP as the previous person suggested - their traffic reports can be helpful. Of course if you don't know the shortcuts....perhaps take along a map of the area to help out. Even in the middle of the night there is a lot of construction which can cause bad delays. Good luck!

 

[Uncleromulus]

The sad part of your question is that there is no good way on I-495!!
My experience has been that taking the WW bridge way (E) gives you a bit better shot into the mixing bowl. That alone is worth the little extra mileage. One of the worst back-ups I've seen in the area was on the W (Tysons Corner) side of 495. On a Sunday afternoon around 4:00--a 7 mile back-up, just due to traffic. No accidents, no construction.
Timing is the key in going either way. VERY early in the AM, or the dead of night are the best times.

 

[Goofy Fan]

Seems unanimous. Thanks for the pointers.

 

[caitycaity]

i agree with what people have said, but a word of caution about the west way -- the backups to get onto the mixing bowl are often an extra 30-60 minutes *no matter the time of day*. i've been there at 11pm, 1pm, 5am, etc on a weekday and had to wait every time. on the weekends the backup is worse. i would advise people to leave an extra hour for traffic here no matter what time you are driving. if you end up getting through earlier, even better.

i don't think either way is necessarily better, though the east route will 9 times out of 10 have a shorter wait at the mixing bowl.

 

[Mickey_Fanatic]

I drive 95W every day around 4pm. You can not predict what it will be like. Lately I have consistantly found extremely heavy traffic during the rush hour, stop and go in some areas. Assume it will be slow and enjoy any bonus you might get.

 

[Pete W.]

If the mixing bowl is so bad, does it make sense to take an alternate route, even if it's more miles? I'd gladly go out of my way to avoid a traffic snarl. So, how about taking 495W to 66W to 123S and connect back to 95S near Lorton? Obviously it's more miles, but if it helps you avoid a traffic nightmare, might something like that make sense?

 

[candleonwater]

Nope. The way I look at it is... just plan for a back up... and don't let it get to you. 66W can be JUST AS BAD...

 

[Uncleromulus]

Agree-66W is an awful road in it's own right.
And you just might get lucky at the mixing bowl, even if you can't go in the early AM, or other optimum time. One trip to WDW in early December we arrived at the mixing bowl (using 495 E) at 10;30 in the morning, on a Friday. I was prepared for the worst, but we actually made it thu w/o any backup.
Of course we were nearly run down by all the trucks trying to change lanes etc,--but that's another story.