Traffic Patterns on I-495 NoVA during different times? (Springfield, Dunn Loring: construction, moving)

[Tee11]

Can anyone tell me what the traffic pattern/hours of rush hour are - on I-495 in virginia between the Dunn Loring/I-66 area and the Springfield area (to connect to 95) ??? I really have no idea. I'm interested in 6 am, 10 am, 3 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm. I'm only familiar with the patterns on 95 and 395.

.... and that there IS NO pattern on I-66 (or do I have that wrong?)

Thanks!

[adolpho]

The inner ring of the Beltway goes clockwise, the outer ring is counter-clockwise. Traffic is bad every day.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Tee11

Can anyone tell me what the traffic pattern/hours of rush hour are - on I-495 in virginia between the Dunn Loring/I-66 area and the Springfield area (to connect to 95) ??? I really have no idea. I'm interested in 6 am, 10 am, 3 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm. I'm only familiar with the patterns on 95 and 395.

.... and that there IS NO pattern on I-66 (or do I have that wrong?)

Thanks!

3pm and 6pm- YUCK!!!

6am- beginning of rush hour, might be a little rough

10am and 8pm- end of both rush hours so-so

[bmwguydc]

From Dunn Loring to Springfield, the issue will be with afternoon traffic that tends to slow between I-66 and Braddock Road. In the morning, there's no problem at 6, 8, 10, etc., save for construction delays that may be implemented with HOT lane construction. It's a reverse commute to Springfield in the morning, since all the traffic is headed to Tysons.

Now, if you were planning on getting on I-66 to get to 495, that's an issue in the morning, so I would suggest picking up The Beltway from Fairview Park, or Route 50, depending upon location in Dunn Loring.

Between 3 and 8, the traffic can be fine until about 3-3:30-4, depending upon day, but then has some slowdowns, with the worst traffic generally from about 5-6:15-30 or so. There can be lasting delays until 7, but generally traffic will begin to lighten up after that, and it might be heavy traffic, but generally moves without delay after 7. At 8, you would not have an issue, most days, save for delays due to HOT lane construction that might impact the overnight traffic, but that's generally later at night when it does occur (not every night).

Now, in reverse, from Springfield to Dunn Loring, the morning traffic is bad until about 10, then lightens. Afternoons can be tricky, but if there is an issue, it's generally between 66 and Tysons where the delays begin, but sometimes it's Route 50. If you need to get back to Dunn Loring, again, I would avoid I-66 in the afternoon/evening, since it's faster to exit at 50 or Gallows Road, and take side streets to Dunn Loring.

[Guamanians]

[quote=Tee11;12642251]Can anyone tell me what the traffic pattern/hours of rush hour are - on I-495 in virginia between the Dunn Loring/I-66 area and the Springfield area (to connect to 95) ??? I really have no idea. I'm interested in 6 am, 10 am, 3 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm. I'm only familiar with the patterns on 95 and 395.

.... and that there IS NO pattern on I-66 (or do I have that wrong?)

You might want to consider alternate routes for the rush hour times. I-66 is inexplicably slow at times when there shouldn't be that much traffic. It is one of the worst interstates I have ever seen. I have found that the beltway moves much faster than I-66. The HOT lanes are causing a problem though... I'm still not sold on the idea because there's too much money involved. I have heard that the tolls will be very high during rush hour. I don't think its reasonable (or morally right) to charge that much money for people to drive a few miles on the beltway.

[Tee11]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

From Dunn Loring to Springfield, the issue will be with afternoon traffic that tends to slow between I-66 and Braddock Road. In the morning, there's no problem at 6, 8, 10, etc., save for construction delays that may be implemented with HOT lane construction. It's a reverse commute to Springfield in the morning, since all the traffic is headed to Tysons.

Now, if you were planning on getting on I-66 to get to 495, that's an issue in the morning, so I would suggest picking up The Beltway from Fairview Park, or Route 50, depending upon location in Dunn Loring.

Between 3 and 8, the traffic can be fine until about 3-3:30-4, depending upon day, but then has some slowdowns, with the worst traffic generally from about 5-6:15-30 or so. There can be lasting delays until 7, but generally traffic will begin to lighten up after that, and it might be heavy traffic, but generally moves without delay after 7. At 8, you would not have an issue, most days, save for delays due to HOT lane construction that might impact the overnight traffic, but that's generally later at night when it does occur (not every night).

Now, in reverse, from Springfield to Dunn Loring, the morning traffic is bad until about 10, then lightens. Afternoons can be tricky, but if there is an issue, it's generally between 66 and Tysons where the delays begin, but sometimes it's Route 50. If you need to get back to Dunn Loring, again, I would avoid I-66 in the afternoon/evening, since it's faster to exit at 50 or Gallows Road, and take side streets to Dunn Loring.

Thank you so much for all the details! I am trying to find out whether there is such thing as a "reverse commute" on that part of the beltway, so as far as I understand going south towards Springfield is fine in the morning but bad in the afternoon, and going north from Springfield towards the I-66 interchange is bad in the morning or after the interchange with I-66 in the afternoon.
I hope I got that right now. Now someone mentioned bad NIGHT traffic!!! I didn't even ask about that because I assumed it was fine in both directions! But I would need to travel north sometimes at around 2-3 am, is that bad???

[normie]

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

3pm and 6pm- YUCK!!!

6am- beginning of rush hour, might be a little rough

10am and 8pm- end of both rush hours so-so

LOL, that about describes it!

[Tee11]

You might want to consider alternate routes for the rush hour times. I-66 is inexplicably slow at times when there shouldn't be that much traffic. It is one of the worst interstates I have ever seen. I have found that the beltway moves much faster than I-66. The HOT lanes are causing a problem though... I'm still not sold on the idea because there's too much money involved. I have heard that the tolls will be very high during rush hour. I don't think its reasonable (or morally right) to charge that much money for people to drive a few miles on the beltway.

Yes, I know I-66 appears the most unpredictable.
I also have my doubts about the HOT lanes becasue I read that there will be only very few onramps and exits and they will not be the same in both directions. Also they are to be completely separate ramps from the highway, meaning, it sounds like you have to decide in advance whether to get on it, no chance to get on it when you're already on 495... we'll have to see.

[bornindc]

Originally Posted by Tee11

I hope I got that right now. Now someone mentioned bad NIGHT traffic!!! I didn't even ask about that because I assumed it was fine in both directions! But I would need to travel north sometimes at around 2-3 am, is that bad???

The inner loop (northbound) beltway should be moving pretty well between Springfield and I-66 at 2-3am weekdays. But there is construction with a lot of night work throughout that corridor and it is difficult to predict exactly when backups may occur, especially at the I-66 interchange. Once the construction is done there should be no issue for you.

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by Tee11

Thank you so much for all the details! I am trying to find out whether there is such thing as a "reverse commute" on that part of the beltway, so as far as I understand going south towards Springfield is fine in the morning but bad in the afternoon, and going north from Springfield towards the I-66 interchange is bad in the morning or after the interchange with I-66 in the afternoon.
I hope I got that right now. Now someone mentioned bad NIGHT traffic!!! I didn't even ask about that because I assumed it was fine in both directions! But I would need to travel north sometimes at around 2-3 am, is that bad???

Not always, just when there is scheduled overnight HOT lane work. And, since it's usually broadcast in advance, it's possible to take an alternate rout that might only add 10 minutes to your trip at 2am.