How Bad is DC Traffic Going to Be?

[Valley Twin]

Driving down Friday, 10/19, but can't leave Philly area until noon or 12:30 because DH has to work a half day. Looks like we'll hit DC around 3pm. I know that rush hour in Philly starts early on Fridays, but how bad should I expect DC to be at that time?

We're driving to Fayetteville for an overnight and then on to WDW bright and early the next morning.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

By 3 pm, rush hour has already started. Friday will be worse than Mon- Thursday. Traffic can be pretty bad, and if you are continuing on 95 S, will be heavy for many, many miles on a Friday. Just be prepared and hope there aren't any accident delays.

 

[Mrs. Potts]

I'll echo what the previous poster said, DC rush hour seems to be round the clock these days, with random delays for seemingly no reason at all. At least in Maryland, there is a teachers convention on Friday the 19th and a lot of districts are off that day. This could be good and bad as folks may leave Thursday evening for a quick getaway or they may all be out and about! Anyway, the best way to deal is just know that you will in all likelyhood run into traffic and just grit your teeth and make your way through it. It's a way of life here and getting upset or trying to avoid it often leads to....MORE TRAFFIC.

 

[MrsWendy]

It's nearly guaranteed that you will hit very heavy traffic. I-95 South after 3 pm on Fridays is not for the faint of heart.

I would strongly recommend that you consider taking US Rt 301 through southern Maryland and then take Va 207 back to I-95. That route will reconnect to I-95 past the point where most of the traffic jams will be.

 

[vicki_c]

It's nearly guaranteed that you will hit very heavy traffic. I-95 South after 3 pm on Fridays is not for the faint of heart.

I would strongly recommend that you consider taking US Rt 301 through southern Maryland and then take Va 207 back to I-95. That route will reconnect to I-95 past the point where most of the traffic jams will be.

I could agree with this, but would just say that that way is STILL awful on Friday afternoons - we have been leaving for Disney on Friday afternoons the last few driving trips and it sucks that way as well, but I guess better than taking 95 at that time of day (at least I hope it is, since we keep doing it!).

The best advice would be to leave home a lot earlier or later.

 

[foodrocksluver]

It's nearly guaranteed that you will hit very heavy traffic. I-95 South after 3 pm on Fridays is not for the faint of heart.

I would strongly recommend that you consider taking US Rt 301 through southern Maryland and then take Va 207 back to I-95. That route will reconnect to I-95 past the point where most of the traffic jams will be.

I'm going to disagree with this. 301 has traffic signals the whole way down and that causes a major back up in rush hour. It could take you longer to make it down 301, cross over the Nice Bridge and get back on 95 than it would to take 95/495 at that time.

The good news is that most of the road work will be finishing up at that time. I drive from Baltimore to Northern Virginia each Friday and I find that the traffic is a mess by 4ish and nightmareish by 5ish. I have also found that Thursday afternoons are much worse traffic wise than a Friday.

So expect delays and be prepared for them but remember that it may not be as bad as you think. Or it could be. You just never know. But I still wouldn't take 301. I would rather get out and walk than be stuck on 301 in the afternoon.

 

[vicki_c]

It's not that bad on 301, despite my joking above. We don't even get on the road until close to 5 and it's sucky yet tolerable. Probably only costs us 30 minutes extra total. It makes sense for us because we already live close to 301, so not saying it would necessarily be the best way for the OP, but since they will be a few hours earlier, it's probably workable.

There's a bypass (at Mattawoman Creek Road I think?) that avoids a good section of the traffic lights, but not all.

 

[GranddadTom]

At that hour you will be able to negotiate the Beltway but you will hit stop and go traffic in Northern Virginia from the time you get off the Beltway and onto Rt. 95 (at exit 167) until you get past Fredericksburg (exit 130). I'd rather have a root canal than be on those 37 mile of road on Friday rush hour! The problem is that you can't wait until it clears because on Friday that won't happen until well after 8:00 pm. It's going to be tough, very tough, and there's no way around it - if there was, do you think the "regulars" wouldn't have already thought of it?

 

[I Love Pluto]

On Friday night - go out of your way (PA Tpke to 81S at Carlisle).
77 to 26 to 95 is the best route possible. If you haven't tried it, you will really like it!

You may not make any better time, but you will keep moving, and you will keep your sanity not going through Washington!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

i agree you might look at the 81s as love pluto said but that can also have backups in Pa but not as bad as DC. biggest problem we have had around DC is where the express lanes rejoin 95 causing both express and 95 to backup to a stand still.

 

[arthuruscg]

You could also run 13 S across the Eastern shore, cross the Bay using the Lower Bay Bridge Tunnel and then run across 58 to rejoin I-95 at the VA/ NC border.

 

[Valley Twin]

You could also run 13 S across the Eastern shore, cross the Bay using the Lower Bay Bridge Tunnel and then run across 58 to rejoin I-95 at the VA/ NC border.

Thanks, all. The Eastern Shore route looks like our best bet and doesn't seem to add more than 30 minutes or so to the total trip. Think we'll be trying this. Will let you all know how it works out!

2 days till the great Disney trip begins!