Washington, DC/I95 ??

[CindyCan]

I have a question about traffic in the Washington, DC area (and even Baltimore, if you know!). I've heard in the past that it's an extremely busy area, and to avoid it like anything, but we're thinking of meeting up with I95 at Baltimore & heading south. I'm hoping that traffic won't be as bad since we will be going through Washington on Monday, Dec 29 at about 9:30 or 10:00 am. (I'm guessing that puts us in Baltimore at about 8:30 am...will we hit rush hour?)

So, what do all you experts think? Will there be enough people on holidays that traffic won't be a nightmare? Any info, or suggestions, that you can give me would be great!

Thanks!

 

[Poohnatic]

If you push your plans back an hour to an hour and a half, you'll be fine. I'm very familiar with the DC commute, and the local traffic is still iffy at 9:30. (if you want to monitor it, go to www.wtop.com and get an idea one morning).

I'm the same distance from Baltimore, and while I don't go in every day, I do travel there twice a month for dental appointments and I find if I try to get there early for my 10:00 appointments, I'm stuck in some jam, but if I tell myself to leave 50 minutes before to drive 40 miles, I will get there with time to spare. Granted, it's on I70, not 95, but you'll find that you're better off an hour later.

Enjoy your trip down. I'll be doing it in 10 days, but we usually pick up 95 at the "Mixing Bowl", where 95, 395 and 495 meet, and we're leaving after DH gets off work on Saturday, so we won't have any problems with traffic.

Suzanne

 

[clutter]

When you get to dc, take I495 around the city, not I95. It might be a bit longer, but generally is less crazy. Well, except for those curves in Chevy Chase! Really, a bit less traffic, definately less trucks. Since you're going between Christmas and New Years, Rush hours will be less intense.