Driving to Nats Park (Reston: purchase, maintenance, stadium)

[NoVA_Lurker]

Has anybody here driven to Nationals Park? If so, how is the traffic near the ballpark? Do they do a good job of managing the traffic flow to get people in and out of the area?

We're thinking about going to an afternoon game this weekend, so it would not be during weekday rush hour traffic. We'd be coming from Reston, so obviously it will take a little time to get there, but I'd appreciate any tips that might make for the smoothest drive.

Normally we would take the Metro, but for various reasons, this time I'd prefer to drive.

Mapping shows GW Parkway to 395 to 695 to S Capitol St, which is apparently only about 40 minutes without traffic. Is this the best route?

Thanks!

[spencgr]

It's always been a nightmare directly around the staduim when I have driven. But I've always been to the Phillies games. Maybe other teams don't draw as many people?

[NoVA_Lurker]

These games will be against the Yankees. Maybe not quite as bad as the Phillies...but probably high on the popularity list. I'd expect a full stadium.

Does "nightmare" mean just annoying because traffic and pedestrians in a congested area is always a little difficult to navigate, or like add an extra hour or two?

I also thought about the boat from National Harbor.

[HokieFan]

They are playing the Yankees this weekend so prepare to pay more per ticket than usual and a larger crowd. $40-$45 each for upper deck for Sunday's game? As much as I would love to go, I'm not paying that much. Go Nats!

[HokieFan]

We come in on 395 and take the Maine Ave exit. Then park along 2nd street SW and have no trouble getting in and out. Super easy and if you get there early enough - free!

[ChristineVA]

I work in that area so it seems "easy" to me but my family has actually gone to the stadium and they always drive. If you take the exit for the Navy Yard (which is the next exit past South Capitol Street), you can come down off the ramp and go to the second light and come across one of the parking lots (the "W" lot) for the stadium. You can take one of the smaller streets (behind the Marine Barracks) and work your way down to some of the closer lots. It will be congested but not gridlock. M Street, as you get close the stadium, will be a bear but you can navigate the smaller roads that run parallel. .

[NoVA_Lurker]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

They are playing the Yankees this weekend so prepare to pay more per ticket than usual and a larger crowd. $40-$45 each for upper deck for Sunday's game? As much as I would love to go, I'm not paying that much. Go Nats!

Understood. My boyfriend is a Yankees fan, and this would be his Father's Day present. I know it won't be cheap. On the plus side, at least our son will get in for free

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by NoVA_Lurker

Understood. My boyfriend is a Yankees fan, and this would be his Father's Day present. I know it won't be cheap. On the plus side, at least our son will get in for free

The non $20 Parking lots are actually farther from the stadium than the metro station btw. If possible, I'd advise to use metro unless you like walking around the sketchy parts of water front.

[NoVA_Lurker]

Originally Posted by tysonsengineer

The non $20 Parking lots are actually farther from the stadium than the metro station btw. If possible, I'd advise to use metro unless you like walking around the sketchy parts of water front.

As I indicated above, we do normally take Metro, but for a couple reasons, I'd prefer not to this time.

I'd probably try to purchase a parking pass in advance at one of the stadium lots to avoid "walking around the sketchy parts."

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by tysonsengineer

The non $20 Parking lots are actually farther from the stadium than the metro station btw. If possible, I'd advise to use metro unless you like walking around the sketchy parts of water front.

The sketchy parts of water front are not bad during the day and are usually full of baseball fans walking to/from the ballpark.

We very rarely take the metro in because it's so much easier to drive. The metro is way too crowded, especially after the game, and keep an eye out for delays due to weekend track maintenance.