I have to be in a meeting in Rosslyn at 8 AM on Wednesday. I see two possible routes from Lusby:

1. 4 into DC on Pennsylvania ave., catch 295 then 395 into VA, then Jeff Davis to the meeting.

2. Over the Wilson Bridge then Rt. 1 north.

A guy at work recommended the second choice, but he is known for giving bad advice. I realize that either choice could have major problems, but is one better than the other?

What time do I need to leave by to make it to the 8 o'clock meeting? I figure I could leave at 6, but if there were any problems on the road I'd be late.

Hit the closest subway station in Md, and end up on the Orange line to Rosslyn..8AM meeting is prime time for rush hour and problems.

Hit the closest subway station in Md, and end up on the Orange line to Rosslyn..8AM meeting is prime time for rush hour and problems.

I know that would make sense, but it will be a long day and I'm spending the night to make a different meeting in Bailey's Crossroads the next morning. I don't want to go back to MD to get my car. Thanks anyway.

I know that would make sense, but it will be a long day and I'm spending the night to make a different meeting in Bailey's Crossroads the next morning. I don't want to go back to MD to get my car. Thanks anyway.
I would probably hit the WW/rt 1 option. I prefer that route. If you hear that rt 1 is hosed, you can stay on 495 until the 95/495/395 and hit Rosslyn that way... Or, hit Glebe, or Washington, or any number of exits that would give you a back up, even through Ballston and such if need be.

Bailey's is just a couple of "back roads" you can nail w/o too much problem from anywhere in between - if you hear that 395 has been mussed up...

I know that would make sense, but it will be a long day and I'm spending the night to make a different meeting in Bailey's Crossroads the next morning. I don't want to go back to MD to get my car. Thanks anyway.

Understand that..If I was going to Rosslyn for an 8am meeting..(I am in PF)..I would leave at 545am..rte 4 to Suitland Parkway to 395, then GW Parkway north to Rosslyn. Follow the signs, just hope you can read them all once you hit 395. From 8 yrs of experience of driving to DC, Wednesdays are the worst traffic days.

I would probably hit the WW/rt 1 option. I prefer that route. If you hear that rt 1 is hosed, you can stay on 495 until the 95/495/395 and hit Rosslyn that way... Or, hit Glebe, or Washington, or any number of exits that would give you a back up, even through Ballston and such if need be.

Bailey's is just a couple of "back roads" you can nail w/o too much problem from anywhere in between - if you hear that 395 has been mussed up...
Thanks. Is the 295/395 option that bad? I know it's shorter, but in DC that doesn't mean squat for quicker.

Understand that..If I was going to Rosslyn for an 8am meeting..(I am in PF)..I would leave at 545am..rte 4 to Suitland Parkway to 395, then GW Parkway north to Rosslyn. Follow the signs, just hope you can read them all once you hit 395. From 8 yrs of experience of driving to DC, Wednesdays are the worst traffic days. That sounds like a good route. I think I'll leave at 5:30, have those three routes mapped out, listen to traffic, and hope for the best.

Thanks!

I would probably hit the WW/rt 1 option. I prefer that route. If you hear that rt 1 is hosed, you can stay on 495 until the 95/495/395 and hit Rosslyn that way... Or, hit Glebe, or Washington, or any number of exits that would give you a back up, even through Ballston and such if need be.

Bailey's is just a couple of "back roads" you can nail w/o too much problem from anywhere in between - if you hear that 395 has been mussed up...

If you're familiar with the Va roads, yeahthat.

Thanks. Is the 295/395 option that bad? I know it's shorter, but in DC that doesn't mean squat for quicker.
It's just timing, really. And who had Idiot-O's for breakfast and is traveling in your path...

Thanks. Is the 295/395 option that bad? I know it's shorter, but in DC that doesn't mean squat for quicker.


You DO NOT want to chance 295N anytime after 6AM unless you have NO choice. There is always gonna be some moron trying to merge at the old Portland St on-ramp doing 30 when the traffic is doing 60. Go the #4 to Suitland Pkwy route that Otter suggested. Pretty much your best bet.

Understand that..If I was going to Rosslyn for an 8am meeting..(I am in PF)..I would leave at 545am..rte 4 to Suitland Parkway to 395, then 110 north to Rosslyn. Follow the signs, just hope you can read them all once you hit 395. From 8 yrs of experience of driving to DC, Wednesdays are the worst traffic days.
:yeahthat: and :fixed: Stay to your right when on the 14th St. bridge and look for the sign that says "110 North, Rosslyn". Where are you going in Rosslyn? Wilson Blvd.?

Stay AWAY from 495/WW bridge/295 that time of morning!!!

Otters route. :yay:

You DO NOT want to chance 295N anytime after 6AM unless you have NO choice. There is always gonna be some moron trying to merge at the old Portland St on-ramp doing 30 when the traffic is doing 60. Go the #4 to Suitland Pkwy route that Otter suggested. Pretty much your best bet.
:yeahthat:

I haven't taken 295 in years and am always amused when someone calls and asks if I am sitting in traffic with them. :lmao:

The only time I had to go to Rosslyn I went right through the city and it was a breeze. From Lusby I would take Pennsylvania Ave. straight into the city. Then turn left on to Independence Ave. Then turn right on to 12th St SW. Then turn left on to US-1 (US-50W, Constitution Ave.). Continue until I-66 (still US-50W) bearing right. Get off on US-50W (Arlington Blvd.). Take the Lynn St. ramp and bear right. Then take a left on 19th St. N and bear right on to the frontage road, which I think is Fort Myer Dr. You should now be in Rosslyn.

Lots of stoplights Ken, take Suitland Pkwy., and once your on the the parkway you only have like maybe 5 -6 lights before your in Rosslyn. You will have some stop and go traffic up on 395 but its not too bad.

:yeahthat: and :fixed: Stay to your right when on the 14th St. bridge and look for the sign that says "110 North, Rosslyn". Where are you going in Rosslyn? Wilson Blvd.?

Stay AWAY from 495/WW bridge/295 that time of morning!!!

Yes, Wilson Blvd. I know it's easy once I get over there, it's just the whole getting through DC thing I'm concerned about.

Ain't traffic in the capitol of the free world great?

I'll definitely try Otter's Suitland Pkwy route unless I hear something on the radio.

Thanks for the help!

You DO NOT want to chance 295N anytime after 6AM unless you have NO choice. There is always gonna be some moron trying to merge at the old Portland St on-ramp doing 30 when the traffic is doing 60. Go the #4 to Suitland Pkwy route that Otter suggested. Pretty much your best bet.

I agree with this and Otter. :yay:

Lots of stoplights Ken, take Suitland Pkwy., and once your on the the parkway you only have like maybe 5 -6 lights before your in Rosslyn. You will have some stop and go traffic up on 395 but its not too bad.
Lights don't bother me and having to be there by 08:00 I was always early and the city seemed almost deserted. In the afternoon it was a b!tch but I only had to do it for a week and it made me appreciate our traffic here so much more.

My biggest gripe was Waldorf to Brandywine northbound in the morning and Clinton to Waldorf southbound in the afternoon. :biggrin:

Yes, Wilson Blvd. I know it's easy once I get over there, I'll definitely try Otter's Suitland Pkwy route unless I hear something on the radio.Thanks for the help!110 becomes Wilson Blvd. Go this way and you'll make out fine. :yay:

I work in Rosslyn and live in Waldorf. I take 210 to 295 to 395 to 110. I left a little after 6a.m. today and made it in about 7:15 or so (I stopped at Starbucks). You are going to run into traffic anyway you go, for some reason traffic is always bad on Wednesdays. It's like everyone decides to go into work that day. I definately wouldn't go over the bridge. Suitland is an option because you can hope on to the ramp from 295 and jump on to 395. If you have to be at a meeting in Rosslyn by 8:30a.m. you probably shouldn't leave any later than 7a.m. - best bet leave by 6:30a.m.

Listen to WTOP - they have the traffic on the 8's and they usually mention these areas if there is a backup (and sometimes to just say there isn't a problem)

Crap - you said you had to be there by 8. Definately leave no later than 6:30a.m.

110 becomes Wilson Blvd. Go this way and you'll make out fine. :yay:

:yeahthat: That's the way I went in every morning when I worked in Rosslyn. It's the safest bet and most direct Route. Word of warning...if you're not familiar with the signs on 395 make sure to look for the sign that says "66." Take that ramp and you're on rte. 110 passing by the Pentagon (between the Pentagon and the Potomac River). Just follow 110 (it bears left into Rosslyn).

You can use the "Twin Towers" in Rosslyn as a sight landmark. Just head toward the towers. :Yay:

Crap - you said you had to be there by 8. Definately leave no later than 6:30a.m.

:yeahthat: But just to be safe, you might want to head out around 6 or 6:15. One accident can screw up traffic all morning, especially if you're comitted to a specific route.

I work in Rosslyn and live in Waldorf. I take 210 to 295 to 395 to 110. I left a little after 6a.m. today and made it in about 7:15 or so (I stopped at Starbucks). You are going to run into traffic anyway you go, for some reason traffic is always bad on Wednesdays. It's like everyone decides to go into work that day. I definately wouldn't go over the bridge. Suitland is an option because you can hope on to the ramp from 295 and jump on to 395. If you have to be at a meeting in Rosslyn by 8:30a.m. you probably shouldn't leave any later than 7a.m. - best bet leave by 6:30a.m.

Listen to WTOP - they have the traffic on the 8's and they usually mention these areas if there is a backup (and sometimes to just say there isn't a problem)
Ever try going over the bridge then up GW Pkwy?

Ever try going over the bridge then up GW Pkwy?

I avoid the bridge like the plague. Even after putting up the new bridge the traffic is still bad. I’m hoping I won’t be doing this drive for much longer.

I avoid the bridge like the plague. Even after putting up the new bridge the traffic is still bad. I’m hoping I won’t be doing this drive for much longer.
I figured since you were that close....

2 more years & you'll have 6 lanes each way. :yay:

I figured since you were that close....

2 more years & you'll have 6 lanes each way. :yay:


Woo hoo - more lanes for people to have accidents on and cause a 20 mile back up! lol

I left home at 5:50, and followed Otter's directions. Nice and easy. Thanks for the help Otter!

The light on Suitland at Naylor was short cycling. :mad:

There was a cop at the light :yay:

He was just sitting there watching the traffic instead of doing anything to help :dork:

I got to the meeting about 5 minutes late :ohwell: which was 20 minutes before my boss :getdown: but five minutes after our customer :ohwell:

Tommorrow I get to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and noting but the truth" then I get to come home. :yahoo:

These trips help me to understand that my normal 35 mile, 45 minute commute ain't squat. Today was 65 miles and two hours, with no "real" problems. I feel for people who deal with this evey day.