Crystal City from St. Mary's

[bohman]

Would any of you road warriors out there care to put in your .02 on the best way to get to Crystal City? I need to head up there this week. Google map wants me to take 5 to Suitland Parkway to 395, then south on 1.

It looks simpler to go 5 to 495 across the Woodrow Wilson, then north on 1. Plus I get to avoid the joys of driving through some of the sketchier areas of D.C. But am I going to get stuck in a thousand red lights trying to go north on 1 through Alexandria?

Or should I just skip all that and get on the Metro at Branch Ave?

[Hank]

Originally Posted by bohman

Would any of you road warriors out there care to put in your .02 on the best way to get to Crystal City? I need to head up there this week. Google map wants me to take 5 to Suitland Parkway to 395, then south on 1.

It looks simpler to go 5 to 495 across the Woodrow Wilson, then north on 1. Plus I get to avoid the joys of driving through some of the sketchier areas of D.C. But am I going to get stuck in a thousand red lights trying to go north on 1 through Alexandria?

Or should I just skip all that and get on the Metro at Branch Ave?

Take 1..... Easy drive!

[JoeR]

Originally Posted by bohman

Would any of you road warriors out there care to put in your .02 on the best way to get to Crystal City? I need to head up there this week. Google map wants me to take 5 to Suitland Parkway to 395, then south on 1.

It looks simpler to go 5 to 495 across the Woodrow Wilson, then north on 1. Plus I get to avoid the joys of driving through some of the sketchier areas of D.C. But am I going to get stuck in a thousand red lights trying to go north on 1 through Alexandria?

Or should I just skip all that and get on the Metro at Branch Ave?

What time of day are you going to be traveling and where in Crystal City are you going? ? Going across the Wilson Bridge is the easier way in my opinion. I go that way everyday to work (National Airport). I'm coming from Waldorf and go via Rt. 210 to the bridge. Also remember you need to be in the local lanes to get off onto rt. 1. When you get on route 1 (Patrick St.) keep to the speed limit or a little slower. The traffic lights are timed and if you stay around 25-30 mph you can go no-stop all the way to where Patrick and Henry Streets meet back up by the McDonalds.

[victoryman]

Maybe you could drive to Branch ave metro and take metro green line to Yellow / blue line to Crytal City. Just a thought.

[Littlebit]

Go to Branch Ave. and use metro it is the best way and you miss all the numbnuts on the roads.

[thurley42]

Originally Posted by JoeR

What time of day are you going to be traveling and where in Crystal City are you going? ? Going across the Wilson Bridge is the easier way in my opinion. I go that way everyday to work (National Airport). I'm coming from Waldorf and go via Rt. 210 to the bridge. Also remember you need to be in the local lanes to get off onto rt. 1. When you get on route 1 (Patrick St.) keep to the speed limit or a little slower. The traffic lights are timed and if you stay around 25-30 mph you can go no-stop all the way to where Patrick and Henry Streets meet back up by the McDonalds.

This... if you are leaving a little later in the morning it isn't worth paying for the metro and parking and taking the 45 minute metro ride from Branch to Crystal City when you can just drive...

[Baja28 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by JoeR

What time of day are you going to be traveling and where in Crystal City are you going? ? Going across the Wilson Bridge is the easier way in my opinion. I go that way everyday to work (National Airport). I'm coming from Waldorf and go via Rt. 210 to the bridge. Also remember you need to be in the local lanes to get off onto rt. 1. When you get on route 1 (Patrick St.) keep to the speed limit or a little slower. The traffic lights are timed and if you stay around 25-30 mph you can go no-stop all the way to where Patrick and Henry Streets meet back up by the McDonalds.

This^^ with a few clarifications. Time and where in CC is important!

You can go 210 to 495 then take GW Parkway (avoid lights on rt. 1). You'll have to know where & when to cut over though.

[TPD]

Originally Posted by Baja28

This^^ with a few clarifications. Time and where in CC is important!

You can go 210 to 495 then take GW Parkway (avoid lights on rt. 1). You'll have to know where & when to cut over though.

I'm not convinced GW is a time saver over Rt 1 - just based on my observation going to DCA. Maybe going in but not coming out, but again, all based on time of day I guess.

[bohman]

I should have clarified, I need to be at 12th street at 10:00. That's why I was concerned about taking Rt 1 all the way from the Wilson, since my destination appears to be at the northern end of the Alexandria/Crystal City area.

Thanks for the info!

[bohman]

Originally Posted by Baja28

This^^ with a few clarifications. Time and where in CC is important!

You can go 210 to 495 then take GW Parkway (avoid lights on rt. 1). You'll have to know where & when to cut over though.

I don't see many places to exit from GW north. Would you head to Smith Blvd next to the airport and then head to Crystal Dr from 233 Airport Access rd?