Washington D.C. Traffic Question

[gigsjp]

We will be heading down to WDW from NJ on a Friday in April. Unfortunately, the way the timing works out, we should be passing through D.C. at the beginning or middle of rush hour (3-4PM). Are there any suggestions in avoiding.

Is the inner loop better than the outer or vice versa? Which radio stations can I listen to while in MD to get some info?

Thanks,

John

 

[Disney Spaz]

I work on the NW side of the beltway and the best and only radio station is 1500AM WTOP. They give you a traffic report every ten minutes on the 8's, i.e. - 3:08, 3:18, 3:28 etc.. That being said the outer loop is usually better only because you don't cross the Wilson Bridge which is ALWAYS backed up. Just be ready you will be waiting regardless of which side you use. Sorry I couldn't give you better news. My only advice is try to hit it as early as possible.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

We live in the DC area [about 30 minutes south] & I hate to say it, but the traffic pretty much STINKS around here. If you're going to be driving through DC during rush hour, especially going south, you're bound to get stuck for awhile. The only advice I can give you is to try and adjust the time you'd be going through DC. But, we do have HOV lanes... which are lanes in the middle of the highway that change direction depending on what time of the day it is. But, around rush hour, the lanes are going south, so try and drive the HOV lanes. They aren't as backed up & as long as you have 3 or more people in the car, you're good to go!

Have fun driving throug the lovely DC area traffic!

 

[Fabinva]

I'm sorry to say that Friday afternoon is the worst time to be driving anywhere around Dc, radio station WTOP 103.5 gives you the traffic every 10 minutes, good luck.

 

[tabrizia]

Honestly you don't have much hope either way you go. We live just north of DC and both sides get backed up. That being said I actually prefer the inner loop to the out loop (even though the Wilson Bridge is always backed up) because getting back onto 95 from 495 is much nicer on that side then on the outerloop side. Either way you go though will be bad so listen to the radio and if that doesn't help just flip a coin .

 

[BYC]

When I head south, I usually try to avoid Baltimore and DC by going south on 301/896 after crossing the Delaware memoril bridge. Then I stay on 301, going over the Bay Bridge ...listening to the traffic reports, until I can head into 95 again. Maybe some local folks will tell you its a bad idea

 

[gigsjp]

I guess I'm not surprised, but thanks for the tips anyway. Has anyone else used 301 to bypass the DC area? Just wondering if it's worth it.

John

 

[maddhatir]

OH-NO!

we have driven to Disney from NJ about 4 times. we are lucky because we leave on a saturday morning about 3am-- by the time we hit DC its very early- plus its a weekend, no big deal--- HOWEVER! when leaving Disney we usually leave on a Sunday morning usually around 8am- but by the time we hit DC i am swearing up and down i WILL never drive to Disney again. i do it everytime-- well guess what- went to disney in December and flew.......planning our trip for Sept now- and i already have my airline tix-- no more driving...thanks to DC traffic!

 

[Webbie]

I guess I'm not surprised, but thanks for the tips anyway. Has anyone else used 301 to bypass the DC area? Just wondering if it's worth it.

John

You pick up 301 just north of the Balimore tunnel. It drops you off near Richmond Va. Just have a good map with you. It can slow down but it is a much less stressful drive. The beltway can be murder especially on a Friday afternoon.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

I have lived in the DC area for almost 30 years now and I would go the BYC said, taking 301. It is not near any major towns and is two lane, as opposed to 4, but it is an enjoyable ride and you will be avoiding so much. Route 301 crosses the beltway at Richmond and it is an easy catch to I-95, but stay on the beltway at Richmond on the east side of town and continue south until you catch I-95 again, which will be around Petersburg. It's different and not nearly as congested because I-95 between DC and Richmond gets worse every year, plus the interchange at Springfield, VA is under construction.

Hope that helps - just check out the maps (you will also be avoiding alot of truck traffic!).

 

[dgaston]

Not sure where you are in NJ, but we have learned to love a somewhat longer, but more peaceful drive on 81-77-26-95 to avoid the snarls in the greater DC area.

 

[madhouserobey]

how many people are going to be in the car?if three or more take the hov lanes.been work in dc for 18 yrs. the way i go during rush hour is 95 south to b/w parkway(295) which changes to dc 295 to suitland parkway exit stay on ramp and go back to dc 295 north next exit on right is southeast/southwest freeway this turns into 395and soon as you go over the potomac river you can get into the hov lanes if you have more then 3 people in the car.this way it put you past most of the va 95 mess around springfield area.the only congested areas. i usually hit is not until i'm on the se/sw freeway to the potomac river bridge which is only a couple miles. at that time of day on the north side of dc msot people are heading north not south. you only hit from traffic has mention above in the middle of dc for people heading to va.

 

[WillCAD]

My best advice is to stop someplace in Maryland for a long dinner.

You can either sit in a restaurant for 2 or 3 hours, or you can sit on the Capital Beltway for 2 or 3 hours.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I drove up US 301 from Richmond to Baltimore for a job interview one day last year. It's definitely a good alternative to the DC beltway. Traffic may be heavy in places in MD from St. Charles up toward Baltimore, but it seemed to move better than DC traffic.

When coming south on 301, after you pass Fort Hill and approach Bowling Green, take route 207 instead of staying on 301. 207 will bring you to I-95 about midway between Fredericksburg and Richmond. 301 south from Bowling Green to Richmond is pretty much one lane (two if you're lucky) in each direction.

And definitely take I-295 around Richmond on the east side. It gets you around the Richmond and Petersburg traffic and isn't as heavily travelled as I-95.

 

[gigsjp]

how many people are going to be in the car?if three or more take the hov lanes.been work in dc for 18 yrs. the way i go during rush hour is 95 south to b/w parkway(295) which changes to dc 295 to suitland parkway exit stay on ramp and go back to dc 295 north next exit on right is southeast/southwest freeway this turns into 395and soon as you go over the potomac river you can get into the hov lanes if you have more then 3 people in the car.this way it put you past most of the va 95 mess around springfield area.the only congested areas. i usually hit is not until i'm on the se/sw freeway to the potomac river bridge which is only a couple miles. at that time of day on the north side of dc msot people are heading north not south. you only hit from traffic has mention above in the middle of dc for people heading to va.

Anyone else try this? Would this work at 4 o'clock on a Friday? or should I just stick with the 301?

Thanks again.

John

 

[metivier]

I would take 301. It is not only the Capital Beltway that is a problem, but I-95 South all the way down to Fredericksburg. Particularly on a Friday afternoon.

301 is a much saner option. Unless, of course, you can alter the time that you would be approaching the DC area. If you were approaching DC at, say, 12 Noon, then I would say you could skip the 301 option.

 

[agnes!]

Take a look at the "Driving " Sticky at the top of this Board. Also, there's a section here on The DIS that has stops on I-95 and all sorts of driving hints. Here's the URL...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Transportation/Driving_to_Florida.htm

Happy trails,
agnes!