How do you get to DCA National Airport?

[penguin6]

Coming up Route 4 (or Route 5), what is your preferred option for getting to DCA Reagan National Airport? Do you go through the city (Suitland - Freeway - 14th Street Bridge) or do you prefer the roundabout way (Beltway - Wilson Bridge, Rt. 1).

Has anyone ever compared which is better / quicker?

 

[VenusDoom]

Coming up Route 4 (or Route 5), what is your preferred option for getting to DCA Reagan National Airport? Do you go through the city (Suitland - Freeway - 14th Street Bridge) or do you prefer the roundabout way (Beltway - Wilson Bridge, Rt. 1).

Has anyone ever compared which is better / quicker?

I always go 235/5 to Mattawomen/Beantown, then to the Beltway, Rt. 1, Slater's Lane to GW Parkway. Takes me about 60 minutes tops from Hollywood. Usually only about 45 minutes.

 

[Rael]

Coming up Route 4 (or Route 5), what is your preferred option for getting to DCA Reagan National Airport? Do you go through the city (Suitland - Freeway - 14th Street Bridge) or do you prefer the roundabout way (Beltway - Wilson Bridge, Rt. 1).

Has anyone ever compared which is better / quicker?

Personally, I prefer the Wilson Bridge and up Route 1. But it's good to have the other option if the W. bridge is backed up.

The quickest way in is flying, though. Runway 01 to the end, left 180 onto Juliett taxiway, quarter right turn onto papa, then taxi to the parking gate.

:shrug:

 

[SoMDGirl42]

I typically drive there. (Nacho, that's for you baby!)

 

[mdsmile44]

woodrow wilson bridge...rt 1. easy peezy.

 

[SA475]

Personally, I prefer the Wilson Bridge and up Route 1. But it's good to have the other option if the W. bridge is backed up.

The quickest way in is flying, though. Runway 01 to the end, left 180 onto Juliett taxiway, quarter right turn onto papa, then taxi to the parking gate.

:shrug:

+1, that's how I get there...

 

[ProfMoneyWise]

I always go 235/5 to Mattawomen/Beantown, then to the Beltway, Rt. 1, Slater's Lane to GW Parkway. Takes me about 60 minutes tops from Hollywood. Usually only about 45 minutes.

This one gets my vote.

 

[Rommey]

I wouldn't go up Rt 1 if you paid me. I personally go up Suitland Parkway to 395 south and come into north end of airport.

Of course, if I have a later flight in the day, I'll ride in with my wife to her work and then take Metro.

 

[1SmoothMarine]

I wouldn't go up Rt 1 if you paid me. I personally go up Suitland Parkway to 395 south and come into north end of airport.

Of course, if I have a later flight in the day, I'll ride in with my wife to her work and then take Metro.

Definitely the best way to go.

 

[JoeR]

Coming up Route 4 (or Route 5), what is your preferred option for getting to DCA Reagan National Airport? Do you go through the city (Suitland - Freeway - 14th Street Bridge) or do you prefer the roundabout way (Beltway - Wilson Bridge, Rt. 1).

Has anyone ever compared which is better / quicker?

Also depends on what time of day you planning to go.

 

[awpitt]

I wouldn't go up Rt 1 if you paid me. I personally go up Suitland Parkway to 395 south and come into north end of airport.

Of course, if I have a later flight in the day, I'll ride in with my wife to her work and then take Metro.

That's how you normally go except I don't go as far as Suitland. On Rt5, I get on the beltway and go to 295N to 395 south to KDCA.

 

[penguin6]

FWIW I took my standard route last night of Rt. 4 to Suitland to 11th Street Bridge to the Freeway and then got stuck (5:45) in the rush hour at the 14th Street Bridge. It was stop and go over the bridge until the Va side (where it opened up) and I zipped down the GW Parkway to DCA.

In retrospect, at rush hour, the slog up Route 1 probably wouldn't have been as bad as the slog over the 14th Street Bridge. I've resisted Route 1 mainly due to stoplights but seeing how so many others are trying that route I might give it a shot next time.

 

[JoeR]

FWIW I took my standard route last night of Rt. 4 to Suitland to 11th Street Bridge to the Freeway and then got stuck (5:45) in the rush hour at the 14th Street Bridge. It was stop and go over the bridge until the Va side (where it opened up) and I zipped down the GW Parkway to DCA.

In retrospect, at rush hour, the slog up Route 1 probably wouldn't have been as bad as the slog over the 14th Street Bridge. I've resisted Route 1 mainly due to stoplights but seeing how so many others are trying that route I might give it a shot next time.

Going up Rt. 1 that time of day isn't as bad as it it coming southbound. The lights are actually timed pretty good. If you keep you speed right around 30mph you can go all the way to Slaters Lane without stoping. Unless you get a idiot in front of you who doesn't get it.

 

[ohstate]

FWIW I took my standard route last night of Rt. 4 to Suitland to 11th Street Bridge to the Freeway and then got stuck (5:45) in the rush hour at the 14th Street Bridge. It was stop and go over the bridge until the Va side (where it opened up) and I zipped down the GW Parkway to DCA.

In retrospect, at rush hour, the slog up Route 1 probably wouldn't have been as bad as the slog over the 14th Street Bridge. I've resisted Route 1 mainly due to stoplights but seeing how so many others are trying that route I might give it a shot next time.

With all the construction on the 14th street bridge, I'd avoid it. (My husband goes to the Navy Yard that way in the very early morning (from Alexandria), but takes 295S to WWBridge in the evening rush. I take Rte 1 NB through Old Town from the WW bridge every night and it's not bad, especially once you get past King Street. Do cut over at Slater's Lane to the GW Parkway N though. Saves lots of time instead of going past the Target, etc on Rte. 1. Also, don't get on Washington St. in Old Town right now - they've got construction that is slowing stuff down right around King Street.

 

[EmptyTimCup]

Coming up Route 4 (or Route 5), what is your preferred option for getting to DCA Reagan National Airport? Do you go through the city (Suitland - Freeway - 14th Street Bridge) or do you prefer the roundabout way (Beltway - Wilson Bridge, Rt. 1).

Has anyone ever compared which is better / quicker?

get someone to drop you @ Branch Ave Metro ...

 

[BernieP]

get someone to drop you @ Branch Ave Metro ...

just don't forget to change trains (from green) to the yellow line.
Better yet, drop your car at one of the dealers for service, have them drop you off (and pick you up) at the Metro station - kill two birds with one stone AND free parking.

 

[BadGirl]

The Best way to get to Reagan?








Don't go to Reagan.. use BWI instead!!

 

[penguin6]

Well I tried again, this time in the morning rush up Route 1 to DCA. The Beltway was a non-event as was the Wilson Bridge, but the moment I exited onto Rt. 1 it was solid cars pretty much the entire way to Reagan National. Volume and stop lights. I was in the restricted lane which helped a great deal, but still it felt quite a bit longer than going up Suitland and over the 14th Street Bridge.

I think in the future it's just going to be a judgement call based on traffic. A wreck on the Freeway or the 14th Street bridge would negate the Rt. 1 traffic (assuming what I saw was normal).

 

[Baja28]

Well I tried again, this time in the morning rush up Route 1 to DCA. The Beltway was a non-event as was the Wilson Bridge, but the moment I exited onto Rt. 1 it was solid cars pretty much the entire way to Reagan National. Volume and stop lights. I was in the restricted lane which helped a great deal, but still it felt quite a bit longer than going up Suitland and over the 14th Street Bridge.

I think in the future it's just going to be a judgement call based on traffic. A wreck on the Freeway or the 14th Street bridge would negate the Rt. 1 traffic (assuming what I saw was normal).

I just saw this fread... I could have saved you tons of time.

For the love of god stay off rte. 1. Take GW Parkway (South Washington Street) instead.

5 to 301 to 495 S/W
Get in local lanes to cross WW Bridge
Exit on Rt. 1 north
Take right on Frankilin St.
Go 2 blocks to Left on South Washington Street (400)
Follow all the way up to Reagan.

Fraction of the lights or traffic

 

[slowlane]

I always go 235/5 to Mattawomen/Beantown, then to the Beltway, Rt. 1, Slater's Lane to GW Parkway. Takes me about 60 minutes tops from Hollywood. Usually only about 45 minutes.

"Mapquest" shows distance from Hollywood to DCA is 57 miles, driving time 78 minutes.
So, if you claim you drive to DCA in 45 minutes, then you're averaging 70 mph, INCLUDING stops at red lights, which means your rolling average is roughly 80 mph - including part of it through urban Alexandria. Sorry, but this seems impossible - day or night.