DC, Arlington and NOVA

[Stetson]

DC, Arlington and NOVA - Im going to have to drive all over these areas in October.

Does anyone have any advice?  "Don't do it" is not going to work.  I HAVE to do it.  What are some good, fast-ish surface streets, what do I need to avoid if I get off the highway.  Are there any roads that are perpetually under construction?  Is Pennsylvania Avenue open at all?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

good, fast-ish surface streets,


all kidding aside it sucks and we need more details on points you will be travelling to and from  times of day etc.  any chance you could use cabs?  or even hire one for the day?

[Stetson]

All times of the day and night.  I cant be more specific here (I will through PMs if needed)
I don't know what points I'll be traveling to, it's all up in the air at this point.  I just know I was told to study 50, the #95s and NOVA area.  That was as specific as I was given.

I'll be in DC, off Pennsylvania Avenue a lot.

[Ben]

Is this for work? If so, for any Downtown DC stuff, unless the private vehicle is required for some reason for transporting stuff or people, park the car and take the Metro. I never drive in DC and will even just cab it from Dulles to the hotel when I have to go there. I never get to the other areas, so I'm of no help there.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

any time from 6-10 in the am   and 2-6 in the pm sucks  i'd try to use public trans as much as i can  leave car on city outskirts like springfield va or falls church va  cabs inside dc are cheap comparatively. they sell multi day metro passes as well.  i've been outa dc for a decade but drove cab for 5 years.  one thing about dc , as well as some other areas, is that a wrong turn  and 2 blocks the wrong way can take you to a third world country and the laws on weapons suck. heck i could see the white house from my apt and still after 10 no one came to or from my apt without me escorting em to and from their car. i used a ap 9 as a throwaway when out  under the concept that a jury beat pall bearers


pm me any more specific routes and times and i'll give suggestions but they are a crap shoot
can send my number for real time swag when you  are here as well as offer refuge

[Stetson]

Thanks, PM sent

Ben, I cant take cabs.  I wish, It'd make life a lot easier

[Jamisjockey]

Listen to the traffic reports like they were sent from Mecca.  Without much time to learn the area, you're going to be screwed when it comes to getting around "quick".  I95 is the El Camino Del Diablo.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

and a traffic report older than 10 mins has as much value as an ex wife has compassion

[Stetson]

Between what CSD told me and what Ive been able to see on Mapquest RE streets, I should be okay.  Ive driven in NYC, LA, Houston, Chicago, Boston and San Fran.  The actual driving I'm okay with.  I learned a long time ago that a blinker is not a request, it's a statement of fact.  I'll have to learn landmarks and compass points (if they let me have one).   That was easy in Denver, the mountains are west.

I have been given a bit more information, so since my wife and daughter are leaving TX on Sunday morning and I'll be here alone for 2 days with nothing but my laptop for entertainment...I'll be studying maps.

I had already heard about 95.  Are 395/495 the same as far as traffic?

[Jamisjockey]

Yes.  Traffic on the freeways can grind to a halt for no apparant reason.  The suck that is I95 has no real usable workaround.  Try and not be on I95 southbound on a friday between 2pm and 10pm. You might shoot yourself.

[MillCreek]

and a traffic report older than 10 mins has as much value as an ex wife has compassion

And yet another APS statement for the ages that should be carved into granite somewhere.

[AF_INT1N0]

GPS is worthless in DC.. It'll try and take you off the highway.. Don't go off the beltway in D.C. until you are close to you location.
Pre-map you destination and one alt route..
395/495 is always under construction. So is 295 for that matter.
I go into work around 0530-- NOVA to south DC.  beat all the traffic.. Post 0700 is hit or miss.. post 0800 more so..
Post 0900 don't even think about it.. That being said..
Google maps traffic function is your friend... 


Signals.. I'm convinced Cars sold in Maryland don't come with turn signals.

Also beware of the diplomats..  They don't have to know how to drive.  And they don't. 

[Harold Tuttle]

I luvs me my DC MD VA traffic surfing.

20 years down there, with early experience with making deliveries in the area, I learned all the backroad trix.

Surface road redlights are set up to keep you back on the highway but if you know the connector routes and know the impact of the HOV activation you can make progress.

route 29 can get you to falls church/tysons when the HOV fails you