Driving south from Nj past Washington, the GPS and Google Maps both direct us to get off 95 and take 495 and then get back on 95 past the city. I understand the need to do that in rush hour even though it still backs up badly. But, I was wondering if a non rush hour trip would be different. Would driving straight on 95 be a bad idea either in the middle of the day or late at night? Is 495 better than also?
Either way, once you're past DC and back on 95S be prepared to crawl for 30 miles or so where HOV lanes merge and Fredricksburg.
As far as timing....very late or early would be my timing preference. And you might as well slit your wrists now if you plan it on a Friday evening.
If at all possible, from Baltimore I get on I-97 south, then Route 3, which then turns into US-301. A bit out of the way and there are stoplights, and a toll bridge when you cross into VA, but much less traffic and stress.
If you're feeling froggy, I'd suggest taking 495 East and taking the exit for 295 South (the Baltimore-Washington Pkwy)if you truly plan on going during non-rush hour. The risk of running into traffic is a good bit better, even not during rush hour, but it knocks a good 15-20 minutes if there's no traffic. That will actually allow you to 'cut' through the city and takes you from the top of 495 to the bottom, right on the other side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Virginia. Do NOT take this route if you think you're going to be around DC any time after 4 pm though. That's when traffic will usually back up pretty bad getting off of 295 onto 495.
The way Greg's describing it taking the 301 bridge route. I rarely have taken that route (mainly because my wife doesn't like bridges and the 301 bridge is a long, high, single lane each way bridge that freaks her out) but I wouldn't suggest it because it will take a while for you to get back on 95.
Anyway, that's just my two cents. Good luck on your trip!
If at all possible, from Baltimore I get on I-97 south, then Route 3, which then turns into US-301. A bit out of the way and there are stoplights, and a toll bridge when you cross into VA, but much less traffic and stress.
Greg - they've extended and changed the HOV lanes. They now extend from DC all the way down past Dumfries/Triangle (where it used to end), down to Garrisonville now. Which I love! Also, they're now EZ Pass lanes and if you do not have an EZ Pass Flex, and just an EZ Pass, it can cost you up to $10+ (during peak hours) to simply go from Springfield to Garrisonville, which I don't love. Luckily, since I carpool with 4 other people, we have an EZ Pass Flex and it's free.
I know they've changed the HOV lanes but I've only been up in the area once or twice in the past year so I'm not familiar with exactly how they operate now, other than that the 495 HOT lanes have dynamic pricing and it costs a fortune to take them at rush hour.
I know they've changed the HOV lanes but I've only been up in the area once or twice in the past year so I'm not familiar with exactly how they operate now, other than that the 495 HOT lanes have dynamic pricing and it costs a fortune to take them at rush hour.
I see. Yeah, I've heard you can take 301 all the way down to Richmond but I've never done it. It's actually kind of cool how many roads in N. Virginia will take you all the way down to at least Richmond. The street you take to get to our development (RT 2 & 17 they call it) can take you all the way down to Richmond and beyond as well. It runs parallel with Rt 1 and 95.
Yeah, they're EZ Pass lanes now. They still run on the same schedule as before the change but now it's a longer ride and you don't HAVE to have 3 people in the car in order to take it during certain hours any more. You can take it whenever you like, no matter how many people are in the car, as long as you have an EZ Pass and the money to cover the trip (if you're by yourself).
I see. Yeah, I've heard you can take 301 all the way down to Richmond but I've never done it. It's actually kind of cool how many roads in N. Virginia will take you all the way down to at least Richmond.
Richmond must really be a neat place to have so many roads you cant take into there. Alas, where I am there's a lot of roads but they all lead out of Albany.
1). First they should have built at least the eastern portion of the outer beltway
2). They should have routed 95 through DC
3). They should have made 95 from the Beltway to exit 126 6 lanes in each direction ala Central Jersey.
Instead, all local DC/DC region/long distance traffic are routed on the same medium sized route. Pure stupidity.
1) Maryland is pretty much against building any thru roadways. Virginia was willing to build the planned Western Outer - Beltway, but Maryland would not agree to build their portion unless it went thru Leesburg, where it be of no use to most thru traffic.
2) I-95 was supposed to go thru DC. I-395 in Virginia south of DC was in fact originally signed I-95 in anticipation of it running thru DC. But DC was against it: "White mans' road, Black mans' Burden". I-70 and I-66 were supposed to go into DC too. All were killed in the 70s. I've linked a map below with the original plan.
3) At the time it was built and planned, building I-95 to 12 lanes would have been an enormous waste. The outer beltway was the planned effort to address traffic, but Maryland scuttled that. And there's no money now because no one wants to raise taxes to build anything.
DC Interstate Plan - ( New Window )
Thanks for the help. I think I'm screwed no matter what