I have to drive the motorhome to Washington DC

Where are you going AFTER DC? If heading west why pic a CG that takes you around so much of the city. It is no fun. Have to do it myself in a few weeks time, coming from Annapolis & heading west in the direction of Shenandoah NP.

My method with ring roads like the Beltway is to get out into at least the #3 lane, stay there & let the mayhem of people getting on, getting off & those who want to explore the possibilities of flight with their cars, carry on around me. They can have the other 5 or 6 lanes. City drivers don't seem to like RVers. Maybe they are jealous.

We are coming from Gaffney, SC

So that's due south from the campground. Maybe there's someone else that can suggest a route that might circumvent the city. It might be longer but might cause you less stress.

Last time I drove around DC there was far more construction and narrow lanes on the west side than the east side, unless thinga have changed in the last couple of years. I would stay with the east side. Anyone have an update on the beltway construction?

for 60 miles further I would consider going over to I-81 and up to 70 to frederick,md, and down 270. I-95 North of fredericksburg, va, is dreadful.
bumpy

Crowe wrote:
Sunday a.m. before 10. Usually no traffic. If there's a route you can take to come from the north side, i.e, through Maryland, take it. You will bypass the DC Beltway but will be on the Baltimore Beltway which is far easier. I have driven the beltway many times in cars, truck w/pop-up, truck w/5'er and Class C with toad. Just go a little slower and watch the signs. Maybe it's because I've driven near/in Boston for so long I think people have a tendency to overreact about how bad the DC area is.

I don't believe you even can drive an RV through downtown (at least not on purpose!). I think there are posted restrictions.

Where from the south are you coming from?

We are coming from Gaffney, SC

If you're coming from the south you would take 495 - "Outer Loop" to exit 25 which is US Route 1; turn left and go 3/4 mile and turn right onto Cherry Hill Road. Campground is 1 mile up on left. Very nice campground. These directions have worked for us and they come from Cherry Hill CG website. Note that 495 makes a circle around DC and has an "outer loop" and an "inner loop" just depends on whether you want to be on the east or west side of DC in traveling thru. Hope this helps. Enjoy.

Sunday a.m. before 10. Usually no traffic. If there's a route you can take to come from the north side, i.e, through Maryland, take it. You will bypass the DC Beltway but will be on the Baltimore Beltway which is far easier. I have driven the beltway many times in cars, truck w/pop-up, truck w/5'er and Class C with toad. Just go a little slower and watch the signs. Maybe it's because I've driven near/in Boston for so long I think people have a tendency to overreact about how bad the DC area is.

I don't believe you even can drive an RV through downtown (at least not on purpose!). I think there are posted restrictions.

Where from the south are you coming from?

It doesn't matter if you go east or west on the beltway. Traffic and accidents will dictate pace moreso than distance. I will take the eastern route nine times out of ten just as force of habit.

Ten men couldn't make me attempt to drive an RV thru downtown DC.

camper19709 wrote:
yup. 95 takes you around DC. easy peasy lemon squeezy.
just not during rush hour.
:)

I haven't calculated it out but it seems to me that going around the West side is shorter, more direct.
and using easy peasy lemon squeezy and I-495 in the same sentence is an oxymoron.
bumpy

yup. 95 takes you around DC. easy peasy lemon squeezy.
just not during rush hour.
:)