Is there such thing as a good time to drive through DC

[DVCJones]

Driving- Is there an ideal time to go through DC???
Here is my plan: (Subject to change )


THU. Leave Massachusetts at 6:30 pm stop in NJ for the night.
FRI. Leave NJ around 7am. I am guessing hitting DC around 10:30am (is this a potential problem)

Travel all day. Stop around 10 or 11pm at the top of FL or GA!

SAT. Continue to Disney Enjoy the day by the pool!!!

I am leaving on thu. night to avoid traffic in Bos., Conn. and NY.

I figure if I can get that out of the way, It is smooth sailing. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that there are no accidents which may cause traffic.

Has anyone done this route? Care to share your experiences?

Thank You!!!!!

 

[JunieJay]

When you say "D.C." which route are we talking about? I-95? I'd avoid I-95 in the Maryland/Virginia/D.C. area from 6am to 10am and then 3pm to 8pm. Our rush hours, especially in D.C./Virginia, are horrid and long. 10:30 am should be fine though.

 

[DancingBear]

10:30 a.m. is about the best time you could expect to come through the DC area. Recommend you check this site for any current issues in the "mixing bowl" interchange (where I-95 breaks off the Beltway down toward Richmond):

http://www.springfieldinterchange.com/

 

[disney1990]

I would suggest even a little later than 10:30 am, if you are definitely coming through during the day. I would say 11:00-2:00.

My DH says the best time is late at night or even overnight (closer to midnight).

However, when we are headed from Maryland and go through DC on our way to Florida, we like to leave home before 5:00 am. That way we are on the other side of DC before rush hour begins.

 

[Figment22]

My DH says the best time is late at night or even overnight (closer to midnight).

You'd definitely think so, right? We were actually stuck in a doozy of a traffic jam of over an hour in that area of northern VA, just south of D.C. at 1:00 a.m. Driving in or through DC is the pits!

 

[Christine]

I'm thinking 10:30 a.m. is a pretty good time. I live in VA and work in DC. Often times, I have appointments scheduled during my work day. I schedule them around 10:00-11:00 a.m. (no earlier) so that I can get in and out of town quickly.

 

[JunieJay]

I would suggest even a little later than 10:30 am, if you are definitely coming through during the day. I would say 11:00-2:00.

My DH says the best time is late at night or even overnight (closer to midnight).

However, when we are headed from Maryland and go through DC on our way to Florida, we like to leave home before 5:00 am. That way we are on the other side of DC before rush hour begins.

The problem with the middle of the night is that is when they do road construction. Since our roads are so busy during the day, it isn't possible to do it then. I agree with the poster who said 11am to 2pm would probably be the best time. They aren't going to get a crew set up just to shut them down a few hours later for rush hour.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We like to get south of DC by 7 am.

 

[caitycaity]

i think 10:30 might be better than lunchtime. there seems to always be a lunchtime traffic jam around the mixing bowl everytime i am there around that time.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

We live about 90 minutes from DC and have always driven to FL. There's never a good time to drive 95 around there. One accident could shut the road down for hours. I realize you can't predict that, but that area is horrible!! 10:30 may be about as good as you are going to get, but I would be prepared for delays.

 

[agnes!]

Remember, this is 10:30am on a FRIDAY. I wouldn't plan on hitting the DC area anytime later than that.

I think there is a Sticky over on the Transportation Board with driving routes, tips, etc. Plus there is somewhere on The DIS/wdwinfo, a driving section, complete with which exits have hotels, etc. In addition to the Springfields Interchange website, I think there are other websites you can check for road conditions throughout your whole trip. As your trip gets closer, I would be checking the Transpo Board for posted updates/road conditions. Sometimes you can find out about a new traffic back-up that way.

Also, when you get near to the DC-area, tune your radio to 630AM(WMAL/News & talk) & 103.5FM/820AM (WTOP/News-Traffic). These two stations have the best traffic reports throughout the day.

agnes!

 

[singingpixie]

Yeah, add my voice to those who say that 10:30 or 11 are probably about the best you'e going to get. Unfortunately, there's never a guaruntee that an accident won't back things up, but as far as usual traffic patterns, you should be in the clear. Wish I could tell you some secret way to avoid the traffic, but after living here for 4 1/2 years I still haven't figured it all out!

 

[NC Belle]

I recommend taking rt. 301 (I can look up the various exit choices for you) down through Southern MD (toll bridge) and catch I-95 at about the AP Hill exit (its like mile marker 101 or 104...not too far from Kings Dominon if you are familiar with that area). This would help you avoid the worst of the DC area traffic mess. There are a lot of stop lights, but its a lot better stress wise.