Waldorf/Upper Marlboro morning traffic

[Nickel]

Traffic fairies, I need your input. I need to be at the Show Place Arena tomorrow morning for a graduation at 9, so I guess I should probably be pulling into the parking lot at 8. Taking traffic into account, how much time should I give myself if I'm coming from Lexington Park? My mom is leaving La Plata at 6:30 so I'm thinking that means I should leave much earlier.

 

[retiredweaxman]

Figure an hour and 15...leave here at 6:45 to get there by 8 and you should be fine. That is pretty much doing the speed limit up 4 - maybe plus 5mph.

 

[Nickel]

Really? Google Maps has it at an hour and 19 minutes, so I assume I need to add time to compensate for traffic.

 

[pixiegirl]

I would go over the TJ bridge and up 4 and avoid Waldorf. I'd say leave 6:15-6:30 and that gives a little wiggle room for traffic through Calvert which shouldn't be bad that early. When I had to go to Georgetown a few times in the morning I'd give myself 2 hours (from Lusby) and was always fine. 1.5 - 1.75 hrs should be good from the Park to UM.

 

[retiredweaxman]

Really? Google Maps has it at an hour and 19 minutes, so I assume I need to add time to compensate for traffic.

I make the drive south weekly..and get to Dunkirk around 7:30-8am from 301. Dunkirk to Lex Park is approximately an hour and horsey place is only a few minutes (10 maybe) past Dunkirk.

As I drive south, I notice a little traffic heading north at that time...nothing too bad. It would be after 301 that I would expect the traffic to really pick up heading into the District.

As the ceremony starts at 9..and you want to be in the lot at 8...I figure there is an hour of wiggle time already built in. 6:45 should get you there in plenty of time...

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

Don't park in the lots right around the Arena, you'll never get out after the ceremony. Instead go up the hill past the sign for the place and park in the commuter lot and walk down. A couple or 3 hundred yard walk but you save tons of time. When you leave go out the upper exit that takes you past the UM Community Center and brings you out at the light by Tommy's Auto Body at the beginning of 202.

 

[Nickel]

Don't park in the lots right around the Arena, you'll never get out after the ceremony. Instead go up the hill past the sign for the place and park in the commuter lot and walk down. A couple or 3 hundred yard walk but you save tons of time. When you leave go out the upper exit that takes you past the UM Community Center and brings you out at the light by Tommy's Auto Body at the beginning of 202.

Thanks for the tip! I hurt my knee last week so I'll play it by ear. Those extra 300 yards may not look so pretty if it's acting up.

 

[Sweet 16]

Sorry for posting this so late. We were running late due to a lost cat and left La Plata around 7:20 this morning and got there around 8:15. Traffic through Brandywine and up 301 was sucky but no problem whatsoever getting off 301 and into the Arena. Tuesday traffic will likely be heavier so give yourself *plenty* of time.

 

[Nickel]

Thank you, dearies! We left at 6:30 this morning and were parked by 7:45. I took Rte 4 all the way up and it was smooth sailing. I was also able to park in a lot right by the exit, and since we didn't mill about like most people were doing I didn't have to wait in line to get out. The weirdest part of the day was watching a bunch of kids graduate who I've known since they were three.

 

[Sweet 16]

Thank you, dearies! We left at 6:30 this morning and were parked by 7:45. I took Rte 4 all the way up and it was smooth sailing. I was also able to park in a lot right by the exit, and since we didn't mill about like most people were doing I didn't have to wait in line to get out. The weirdest part of the day was watching a bunch of kids graduate who I've known since they were three.