Around DC from NY to WDW, 495 East or West?

[Pluto777]

Which way has less traffic (unfortunately we must go thru DC mid afternoon when there is generally heavy traffic), 495 East or West?

 

[PrincessGidget]

We let Waze decide.

 

[Leigh L]

Honestly, you just never know; I agree, let Waze (or Google Maps) decide.

I live just outside the Beltway to the West so I go that way no matter what. It's truly a crap shoot though, especially during busy times of the day.

 

[georgina]

Which way has less traffic (unfortunately we must go thru DC mid afternoon when there is generally heavy traffic), 495 East or West?

I'll pile on with wait until you are close to decide. Yesterday they had announced they were going to open the Woodrow Wilson bridge over the Potomac at 2:30 in the afternoon. They later cancelled it because they decided the ship could make it underneath, but that would have made some issues for the eastern way. You just never know what will be going on!

 

[MaxsDad]

As others have said it will depend. But worse is South of that on 95 between DC and Fredericksburg, especially crossing the Occoquan. If you can, I would budget for the hov lanes and take those Anywhere between $20-$40 but well worth the money.

 

[KCMA]

We took the east route in the summer when heading to Richmond… it was always moving but had its slow points.. i definitely agree with previous post about the HOV/express lanes on 95 south of DC.. they were great for missing some pretty backed up sections

 

[Jimsig]

Another option is in Baltimore is to take I-895 to I-895B I-97S to MD-3 to US-301S. It takes you back to I-95 near Richmond so you skip DC altogether. You then have the option of staying on 95 through Richmond or taking I-295 south around Richmond.

If you use Google Maps on a computer you can drag a route to do this. With any luck this link will work
301 Around DC

 

[mikehn]

Like previously posted, your biggest bottleneck isnt DC. The slowdown will be from DC to Richmond. DC rush hour starts about 2:30pm. Time your drive accordingly.