WashingtonDC

Francesca Knowles wrote:
I've heard that both parts of the U.S. Congress leave Washington en masse at noon on Friday, that is if they showed up for "work" at all. ;)

C'est Magnifique!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think that both occurrences are an international pandemic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Noon timeframe youll find I66E not too bad, westbound will start to grow/crowdy by 2pm, stay in the center lane once you get past the Fairfax county parkway until you see the signs for I495 to avoid the various merge points. I495 north from I66 will be probably by heavy, but should not start backing up yet. If you do not get to I495 before 2pm youll find the backup from the American Leagion Bridge all the way through what is called the I270 spur. That wont let up until Chevy Chase or possibly as far as Silver Spring.

I used to drive that on a regular basis when I lived in MD and worked in Fairfax (until I changed jobs and moved to a commuter train.) I still drive it to see family and that traffic pattern still exists even as of last weekend.

I will say one thing, just be prepared. Most drivers could care less if you are a car, RV, or tractor trailer. They drive in their own little world and the me-first self important attitude is definitely the normal driving style around here.

Sounds much worse than I expected. We are coming from Tennesse up I81 so I think I'll drive later into the evening Thursday. This will put me close to DC so maybe I can come through late morning to noon timeframe.

Where will traffic begin to pick up on I66. Does heavy traffic extend out to Centreville or further?

Can-AmDuo wrote:
Friday in the Summer, all bets are off.
Tune your radio to 103.5 FM WTOP , that is the local traffic station.
If you hear about any delays, get off of I66 at route 15 and go north to Frederick, MD then east on I70 and south on 29 to Cherry Hill Road. I know it's longer but much less stressful.
Safe travels, Brenda

Yep I have lived right on 66 about 10 miles outside the beltway for the last 30 years and often travel 66 to 495 across the Memorial Bridge to Bethesda and as mentioned Fri starting around noon is a******shoot with Congress and the Flex hours many businesses use ... also truckers try to hit the beltway around noon if they can't do it in the middle of the night. If you do use 66/495 go as mentioned clockwise across the Memorial Bridge instead of CCW across the Wilson Bridge even if further and you are going north of Andrews AFB.

At least 66 from Warrenton in is less prone to the massive traffic jams that I-95 south of D.C. is FAMOUS FOR. I think the I-95 issue is 18 wheelers and cars just don't get along on that road.

Larry

Friday in the Summer, all bets are off.
Tune your radio to 103.5 FM WTOP , that is the local traffic station.
If you hear about any delays, get off of I66 at route 15 and go north to Frederick, MD then east on I70 and south on 29 to Cherry Hill Road. I know it's longer but much less stressful.
Safe travels, Brenda

Don't be late on that route or you will be crying, absolutely crying.

I live in northern Virginia and when I have to go to MD I always take the beltway clockwise from I66 around to where Cherry Hill and route 1 are. (It's probably at the 1 or 2:00 position on the beltway.) It's shorter and has less traffic than going the 495/95 way counterclockwise.

Robert78121 wrote:
66 is dicey 24 hours a day but is doable at around a 30 MPH average (expect some stop and go) outside of rush hours. The problem is if there's an accident or other distraction you just never know. 495 should be ok that time of day.

This is pretty accurate.

Bruce

66 is dicey 24 hours a day but is doable at around a 30 MPH average (expect some stop and go) outside of rush hours. The problem is if there's an accident or other distraction you just never know. 495 should be ok that time of day.

I've heard that both parts of the U.S. Congress leave Washington en masse at noon on Friday, that is if they showed up for "work" at all. ;)