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I have to drive from an office near Dulles (IAD) to my condo closing in Navy Yard at 4:30pm on Tuesday, March 13th, so I'd really like to not be late. Google maps puts it at 42 minutes, so I'm thinking about leaving Dulles at 3pm. Is this enough buffer time for traffic and is it realistic? I'm fine paying for the Dulles Toll Road.
Also, Google Maps has me coming across I66 on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and immediately taking the Independence Ave exit. I've seen a significant back-up there at the bottleneck where traffic merges with Rock Creek-Potomac Pkwy traffic. Is that unavoidable or is there a way around that bottleneck?
The Independence Avenue option will be unavailable after 3:45 when Rock Creek Parkway goes one way northbound (i.e. directly into that exit). You'll probably have to come in on 66 and then take the exit for 110 Pentagon / Alexandria down to 395 and come in over the 14th Street Bridge.
No idea on the overall timing of the thing, but I'd think leaving at 3:00 would work (unless there is a wreck). If 66 inside the beltway is a mess you could take the beltway to the GW Parkway and come down that into the city. Technically more miles but if 66 is jammed it might be an option.
I have to drive from an office near Dulles (IAD) to my condo closing in Navy Yard at 4:30pm on Tuesday, March 13th, so I'd really like to not be late. Google maps puts it at 42 minutes, so I'm thinking about leaving Dulles at 3pm. Is this enough buffer time for traffic and is it realistic? I'm fine paying for the Dulles Toll Road.
Also, Google Maps has me coming across I66 on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and immediately taking the Independence Ave exit. I've seen a significant back-up there at the bottleneck where traffic merges with Rock Creek-Potomac Pkwy traffic. Is that unavoidable or is there a way around that bottleneck?
Thanks a million!
During that time of day, driving into the city can be very unpredictable. There is little chance you will make it there in 42 minutes. I think you should give yourself at least an hour and half (like the above poster stated) and play the traffic situation by ear (either GPS or radio). Too many things can change to predict it in my opinion.
During rush hour I would allow at least 90 minutes if not 2 hours. I-66 gets backed up once inside the Beltway. Also there's traffic if one is crossing the 14th street bridge or trying to go through downtown on Constitution. A traffic jam is pretty much unavoidable at this time of the day. As mentioned you can't use Independence so you have to crawl along Constitution which is a PAIN. You could take 110 to 395 and use the 14th street bridge but that gets really backed up as well. So yeah try to leave your Dulles office by 2:30 but def no later than 3:00.
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