Should I fly from DCA?

[DisneyinPA]

I found a great rate on SW from Washington Reagan during Presidents week but DW is reluctant to fly out of DCA because of the weekday traffic. We do have a more expensive flight booked out of PIT which is 2hrs 15mins from us. If we would go to DCA it is a 3 hour drive. Anyone have any experience with flying out of DCA and the traffic to get there? Thanks!

 

[georgina]

I found a great rate on SW from Washington Reagan during Presidents week but DW is reluctant to fly out of DCA because of the weekday traffic. We do have a more expensive flight booked out of PIT which is 2hrs 15mins from us. If we would go to DCA it is a 3 hour drive. Anyone have any experience with flying out of DCA and the traffic to get there? Thanks!

We moved from the Pittsburgh area last year, we are now 10 minutes from DCA. There will definitely be more traffic certain times of the day. I would suggest looking at Google maps at the time of day you would be driving to see where the slow down areas are. Of course that doesn't account for any rush hour accidents. It's really going to depend on your route and what time you are driving. You could plan to get there extra early. The SW area at DCA has its own separate security line, serving only 9 gates, which seems to move better IMO.

I hear parking is expensive at DCA, you may want to check prices and factor that into your calculations.

 

[sghokie]

georgina is right. Traffic can be unpredictable on weekdays, parking is probably about 25 a day, but can be as little as 10 a day if you use one of the offsite hotels via spothero.