Oakton to Baltimore (Manassas, Laurel, Vienna: hotel, home, construction)

[Doppelganger69]

You all were so helpful in routing me from Vienna to Williamsburg; I'm hoping you can take me from Oakton to Baltimore. We're going to Johns Hopkins Medical Center in January, and to work around DC's school schedule, can take either a 930 appointment or a 1230. I initially chose 930, but now am second-guessing myself. We'd be coming back about 3 hours after the appointment start time. I'm thinking of the times I've been eastbound on 66 and seen the exit to 495 N completely stopped. We'll only have 2 people in the car so couldn't use HOV-3. We could leave Oakton as early as 730 and should be back as close to 3:15 as possible, though we could make it later, and possibly could leave earlier if child-care works out. All advice welcome!

[horseplayer]

You're going to get hit hard; either going or returning. My sister was visiting Manassas and had a business meeting Downtown at 8:30am. She started doing the math, and opted for a hotel in DC.
Using the MARC train could be an option, but you could have to take Balmer's Metro or walk a ways after that. Poe's Grave, Ruth's Birthplace, or some great Italian Food (that isn't really Greek) might be a good way to wait out rush hour in the evening. Check the Orioles' schedule.

[michgc]

I would leave early, go up Route 123 (I find that to be easier than I-66 in the morning, especially since you are heading North anyway). Traffic North on 495 toward Maryland (and then east on 495 in Maryland) is not as bad as that heading south (and west). As you head up I-95 toward Baltimore you are mostly against traffic (let me rephrase that - the traffic Northbound in that area is better than Southbound). On the way back, the same is true. And in the middle of the afternoon it should be okay, still. It doesn't get bad until about 3 PM. When I lived in Bethesda, I had a roommate who commuted to Laurel and she said her traffic was much better than those heading from those northern suburbs toward DC. While that was years ago, I imagine the traffic patterns are still the same today.

Hopefully, you won't hit a day when there is a major car accident. And even if it's a terrible ride, you can be thankful that it's not your daily commute!

[JakilaTheHun]

Everyone who says you'll get hit by traffic one way or another is probably right. If you do 9:30, you'll get hit by the morning rush. If you do 12:30 and you return at 3:30 (as you suggest), you'll get hit by the evening rush.

If you can get out of Baltimore before 3 PM your chances are much better. Sometimes you luck out at that time of day. I've done that commute (Baltimore to Fair Oaks to be precise) a few times.

My advice is to avoid I-66 like the plague (michgc's suggestion for Route 123 is good). You're probably going to have to take I-495 one way or another.

In the morning, there tends to be a backup around Tyson's Corner (which you could mostly avoid taking VA-123) and there's also a back-up around Silver Spring/College Park/I-95 merge area. You might also run into a little back up heading into Baltimore (I'm not sure --- I haven't driven into the city in the early morning in awhile; some of the annoying construction has been finished at this point).

In the afternoon, there could be random backups on I-95 South. There's a good possibility of a backup at the I-495 junction. It's possible that there's a backup on I-495 West for a few miles. It's also possible that I-495 is basically backed up nearly the entire way to Tyson's Corner.

Afternoons seem more unpredictable.

Not sure which I'd opt for without further info. Like I said, if you think there's a good chance of leaving before 3 PM, the afternoon might be better. If not, it's a crap shoot.

[Doppelganger69]

Thanks, all, for the good analyses! I am trying to understand the various nuances.

When you recommend 123, do you mean take 123 north from Oakton to 495? If so, the mornings I see that around 8 and 9 it is a virtual parking lot, whereas I-66 in the morning seems to go a little better, especially in the HOV lane (which we could use because it is only HOV-2).

With respect to 495 N - isn't it HOV-3 only in the morning? Or are those only the lanes that exit left off I-66 East?

The timing is tricky because I have two kids; only one is going to the doctor's appointment. The other one is in school in Oakton between 8 and 3. We can drop him off as early as 7:30, or pick him up a bit late (technically as late as 6), but he's young and I'd rather stick as closely to regular school hours as we can. So waiting out the rush hour wouldn't work for us; we really need to get home during the afternoon.

Sounds like what we really want is an 1100 appointment!

Thank you!

[michgc]

I-66 can go either way. It's often a parking lot, too in the morning between Nutley and the Beltway. I used to commute from Vienna to Rockville on a daily basis. I've tried both ways, and to me I just seemed to prefer Route 123 (although I am a bit east of you, but probably not by much) and when I got onto 495, I was two exits more north. Listen to the reports that morning. If they say I-66 is clear then go for it. If it's not, then do Rt. 123. On I-66, the HOV lane will help you, because you can do the left exit onto 495 that only HOV drivers can do.

[Doppelganger69]

Thanks, michgc! I'll listen to the traffic reports and will see what 123 looks like as we head west for school drop off (we're in Vienna, too, but one school is in Oakton).

Do we have to be HOV-3 to use the left exit onto 495?

[michgc]

I'm pretty sure it's HOV-2. Even getting two people to use a car together around here is a big thing!

[Doppelganger69]

Ok, thanks!