What times are the worst for the Baltimore-DC-Northern VA rush hour (AM and PM please

[dvcfamily41801]

We are still kicking around when we want to leave (outside Philadelphia) on Friday. It has ranged from 7am, 12pm or between 6-8pm. I just am trying to figure out if we leave at 7am, we are going to hit a little in Philly and possibly Baltimore, but would DC/VA be over. If we leave at 12pm, not sure if we would be hitting Richmond, but could stop for dinner for a little bit. Leaving between 6-8pm, we seem to be pretty safe all around.

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[GranddadTom]

I'm figuring it would be 2 1/2 to 3 hours from Philly to Washington. If you leave at 7 am you will just catch the tail end of Washington's Beltway traffic. It usually clears up by 10:00 am. The good news is that Rt. 95 in Northern Virginia should be good at that time of the day. If you leave at noon, you will just start to see the beginning of the buildup on Rt. 95 in Northern Virginia at around 3:00 pm (the Washington Beltway will be no problem). Leaving at 11:00 would be better. Richmond is no big deal. Leaving between 6 and 8 pm, as you said, will be no problem. The wild card, of course, is an accident and that can occur any time, any place.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

I'm figuring it would be 2 1/2 to 3 hours from Philly to Washington. If you leave at 7 am you will just catch the tail end of Washington's Beltway traffic. It usually clears up by 10:00 am. The good news is that Rt. 95 in Northern Virginia should be good at that time of the day. If you leave at noon, you will just start to see the beginning of the buildup on Rt. 95 in Northern Virginia at around 3:00 pm (the Washington Beltway will be no problem). Leaving at 11:00 would be better. Richmond is no big deal. Leaving between 6 and 8 pm, as you said, will be no problem. The wild card, of course, is an accident and that can occur any time, any place.

THanks for the info!!! So it sounds like even if you think you made it through the DC Beltway, Northern VA could still be a problem. Such decisions!!!

 

[Onceler]

...So it sounds like even if you think you made it through the DC Beltway, Northern VA could still be a problem. Such decisions!!!

The part of the DC beltway that you would likely take is usually not too bad (relative to the rest of the area's highways). I-95 in Virginia between the Beltway and Fredericksburg is one of the worst stretches in the area. That's the part of the trip that you will have to worry about more than any other.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

The part of the DC beltway that you would likely take is usually not too bad (relative to the rest of the area's highways). I-95 in Virginia between the Beltway and Fredericksburg is one of the worst stretches in the area. That's the part of the trip that you will have to worry about more than any other.

Is there specific times that are should be avoided? Say 7-10am and 4-7pm?

Thanks!!

 

[SteveMouse]

Yes- try to avoid the beltway between 12:01 am and 11:59pm

(I lived in the DC area for over 10 years).

In all seriousness, depending on the day of the week, you're probably better off hitting the DC beltway around 10:15am,

On the drive from baltimore to dc, you can take the balto-washinton parkway rather than 95- the parkway is two lanes, but no trucks- it parallels 95 on the east.

You REALLY want to avoid 3:30pm-8:00pm. It can get nasty.

-steve.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

Yes- try to avoid the beltway between 12:01 am and 11:59pm

(I lived in the DC area for over 10 years).

In all seriousness, depending on the day of the week, you're probably better off hitting the DC beltway around 10:15am,

On the drive from baltimore to dc, you can take the balto-washinton parkway rather than 95- the parkway is two lanes, but no trucks- it parallels 95 on the east.

You REALLY want to avoid 3:30pm-8:00pm. It can get nasty.

-steve.

I had a feeling after I asked that question, that someone would answer with the time frame you gave!

Thank you all for your information. I think we are really leaning at this point to leaving tomorrow night around 8pm.

 

[katallo]

For the Baltimore area, I would avoid 7:00 - 9:00 am and 3:00 - 6:30 pm.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Don't worry too much about Richmond--the by-pass ( I think it's 295) is usually trouble free.