Driving on the wrong side?!?! (Washington: apartments, car, park)

[enigmatic526]

Hey all,

Me again -- just got back from my trip to DC for a few interviews and looking at apartments and the first thing I noticed about DC (besides the gorgeous bridge/monuments/memorials) was my cabby was driving on the LEFT side of the road? What is that all about? For a minute I thought I was back in London, but he assured me that during rush hour traffic, this is the way of life.

Now depending on which job offer I take, I probably will have to bring my car down there as I'll be doing a lot of traveling in the region-- could someone explain to me which streets/avenues this affects? For how long? And say you want to go the OPPOSITE way of rush hour traffic (outbound) -- am I just out luck then? Or do I hope to find my way through the side streets?

Thanks for your help!

[Bluefly]

Were you driving on a wooded parkway?

If so, you were probably on Rock Creek Park and that goes one way at rush hour. You can take surface streets to avoid that. Otherwise, I can't think of another road that completely shuts down in the opposite direction. Several shift lanes so that (if it's a five lane road) four lanes are going with rush hour and one lane isn't.

[enigmatic526]

Bluefly -- yes, I was near Rock Creek -- he was taking me to the Hilton Washington hence ended up on CT Ave after who knows what he did. So this only occurs inside rock creek park? Or also its surrounding streets? Lastly, is there a website or something I can check which tells me which streets shift/close and for what period of time? Thanks again.

[Carrot2000]

Here's a list of reversible lanes:

Where are D.C's Reversible, Rush-Hour Lanes? - wtop.com

[enigmatic526]

thanks carrot

[flamfives5]

Don't forgot Georgia Ave. and Colesville Rd. in Silver Spring, those are also reversible.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by flamfives5

Don't forgot Georgia Ave. and Colesville Rd. in Silver Spring, those are also reversible.

Those are in Maryland, for those who didn't know.