Driving S on 95...which loop around DC?

[ranthony]

Hi,

We're leaving this Tues. afternoon for our drive down to WDW and I'd like to know which loop around DC would be best if we are arriving to that area around 7pm.

Google maps shows taking the western loop but I've been told the eastern should be less crowded.

Anyone have any informed opinions?

 

[Uncleromulus]

WE take the "dedicated" I-95 loop. The one that goes over the Wilson Bridge and has the "fly-over" that gets you by the Mixing Bowl. The other direction toward Dulles Airport and Tysons Corner is simply AWFUL, especially as you get near the mixing bowl.
There's nothing great about either direction--just the lesser of 2 evils.
And if you can, be sure to beat the DC rush hour--which is from about 6:00 to 10:00 am, and 3:00 to about 7:00 PM. We travel in the morning and make it a point to be BEYOND DC before 6:00!

 

[Melissa_E]

To be honest, more and more the worst part of the trip is after DC, the spot between DC and exit 140 or so. The Lorton area is what I call the "black hole" of 95. It isn't too bad if you hit it when the HOV lanes are open to everyone OR you have 3 or more people in the car (yes they do patrol and pull over singletons trying to beat the 3 or more rule). Those lanes will fly by while the regular lanes will crawl along. Once you get past Lorton, it is pretty much smooth sailing, but you never know. I've taken the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (295) right through DC and haven't had a problem, 495 Wilson's bridge loop and haven't had a problem except RIGHT at rush hour.

A few friends of mine suggest taking 301S to route 17W (meets up with 95 in Fredricksburg) and bypassing the DC area altogether. Another friend decided to go through the northern neck of VA and down to take the Chesapeak bay bridge, then go across the state to get back to 95 just to avoid DC.

I absolutely recommend 295 that bypasses Richmond, it is straight and 99.9% of the time only has light traffic on it.

 

[fofinia]

What about traffic on a Saturday? We'll be leaving on a Sat and most likely hitting DC around 4 pm. Is it totally random since it's a weekend?

 

[Melissa_E]

Fofinia, it depends on the time of the year. For example, if you do that now, you will have a lot of traffic around Potomac Mills. Other times of the year, it won't be so bad. The Lorton area will still be a black hole.

 

[Chrisypoo]

If you'll be hitting DC around 7pm I would take the eastern route (Inner Loop, I believe). After you cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, get in one of the two left lanes...you'll end up on a flyover that takes you right onto 95S. That's probably the best thing they ever did, before that the Mixing Bowl was HORRIBLE!

Someone mentioned taking 301S to 17...that will add a lot of time because of all the lights and traffic going through Waldorf and LaPlata. Last time I drove through there, going from Richmond to Annapolis, it took 3 1/2 hours. Taking 95 and the Beltway usually only takes a little over 2 hours.

If you're going to continue on, then you'll probably be getting to Richmond around 830. I wouldn't take 295 around Richmond...other than rush hour during the week, the traffic on 95 is fine and the loop will almost double your time.

Christine

 

[Uncleromulus]

Agree--except the loop around Richmond. WE always take that. Once when it was closed due to an accident we were forced to take I-95 thru Richmond. On Saturday and still an awful mess!!! Extra traffic of course, but that's just a crowded and BAD stretch of road. I-295 is peace of mind.

 

[Melissa_E]

If you're going to continue on, then you'll probably be getting to Richmond around 830. I wouldn't take 295 around Richmond...other than rush hour during the week, the traffic on 95 is fine and the loop will almost double your time.

Christine

I don't understand how it would double the time. 295 starts at 95 exit 84 and ends at 95 exit 46, that is 38 miles. 295 is 43 miles from the break away to rejoining, that is just an additional 7 miles. I have found that 295 moves much faster than 95, especially since the speed limit there is 65 instead of the 55-60 through Richmond, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg. Plus, there tend to be fewer cops on 295.

 

[pbharris4]

If you get to DC about 7pm you'll be at the tail end of rush hour. It shouldn't be bad. I'd take I-95 straight through towards Richmond. From Lorton to Dumfries can be pretty crowded at rush hour but like I said, you'll be ta the t ail end and you can probably get on the HOV lane by then and bypass the other lanes if they are crowded. If you do take the HOV...you must get off at Dumfries because it ends. That's why it can back up there, but not too much. Dumfries through to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania can be hot or miss at any time of the week. Usually it's smooth sailing, but I think there are a lot of accidents in these areas. One because I live here and hear about it and two because my DH has commuted up and down I-95 to the DC area for 17 years and that's where he'd get tied up alot.

As far as Route 301...only take that if you are not on time constraints. My SIL lives off it in Bowling Green (it takes us forever to get there). There's lights, small towns, two lanes, etc. I would only take that route if there was major delays from construction and I had no other choice.

Richmond..we've done both I295 and I95 stright through and we never have a problem either way..just a warning..I have seen many a cop sitting around the interchange area there.

 

[ranthony]

I appreciate your advice and am hoping for that 'smooth sailing' that was mentioned previously.

We'll probably take the Eastern side of DC across the WW bridge and then shoot straight through Richmond.

 

[cranbiz]

If you're going to continue on, then you'll probably be getting to Richmond around 830. I wouldn't take 295 around Richmond...other than rush hour during the week, the traffic on 95 is fine and the loop will almost double your time.

Christine

From my experiences, I have to disagree with you on this one. I have gone both ways and I have settled on I295. It's only 5 miles longer in distance and is almost never crowded. It will NOT double your travel time, in fact, I save time in I295. I can move along at 65-70mph with no problems while in Richmond on I95, I am doing 55-60mph and have had traffic issues. The I95 corridor thru Richmond is in the traffic safety corridor and has had intense enforcement at times.

 

[Chrisypoo]

From my experiences, I have to disagree with you on this one. I have gone both ways and I have settled on I295. It's only 5 miles longer in distance and is almost never crowded. It will NOT double your travel time, in fact, I save time in I295. I can move along at 65-70mph with no problems while in Richmond on I95, I am doing 55-60mph and have had traffic issues. The I95 corridor thru Richmond is in the traffic safety corridor and has had intense enforcement at times.

Maybe it just depends on when you're going through there...I drive this section of 95 almost daily and have rarely had any issues.

Christine