Help from those close to IAD or BWI

[Theta]

we are going to Mercersberg, PA.

It looks like BWI and IAD are about the same distance, around a 90 minute drie from Mercersburg.

Which airport would be better to fly into and get out of the city as quickly as possible. We are arriving on a Sunday if that matters.

TIA

 

[pcg79]

Dulles (IAD) isn't in the city so you wouldn't need to worry about that. I prefer IAD for that very reason.

 

[Mousemommy1]

BWI isn't in the city either. It's very easy to get and and out of, and also easy to get around inside. I travel to BWI a lot alone with my kids to visit family and am very comfortable there.

 

[DisneyDayz]

I live about 10 minutes from BWI. It's easy to navigate, has plenty of drop off/pick up lanes, and is accessed by several major highways that will put you on an interstate within a few minutes including I-95 and I-83.

 

[cmjohannes]

If it makes any difference to you, the IAD is on the Dulles Toll Road, so you will have to stop and pay tolls. As long as you aren't traveling along I-95 from Mercersburg to BWI, you can avoid paying tolls.

 

[mdmbfly]

I find BWI is a pain to get out of. I actually prefer PIT heads and shoulders above BWI and especially IAD. MTCW

 

[ttstroker]

If it makes any difference to you, the IAD is on the Dulles Toll Road, so you will have to stop and pay tolls. As long as you aren't traveling along I-95 from Mercersburg to BWI, you can avoid paying tolls.

Dulles toll road has free express lanes that only go to and from the airport. They are the center lanes and don't have any exit before the airport once you get on it.

For the OP, Sunday traffic isn't bad until there's construction or an accident. If you're close to 95 then BWI might be best since it's off 95 just south of baltimore. If you're in western or central PA, IAD might work better since you can take 70/270 to 495 then the expressway to IAD. It's also a matter of preference. BWI has southwest while IAD has JetBlue for direct flights to MCO. Both have the other carriers too. I prefer parking options at BWI and they're slightly cheaper for a covered space. Part of the BWI long term surface lot flooded last year, so I'd pay the extra $3-4 to park in the garage.