Why is there more traffic on I-95 North than South in the afternoon? (Arlington: home, neighborhoods)

[capitol]

One thing I never understood is why there is so much traffic heading into D.C. in the weekday afternoons. I thought most people were leaving D.C. and entering Virginia. I was under the impression that not many D.C. people work in Virginia. Every day I see a huge traffic jam from the Pentagon to the 14th St bridge on I-95 North in both the regular lanes and HOV lane.

[Carlingtonian]

It's worse on the southbound side; that side is often barely moving at all. I take the northbound direction 3 days a week. Heavy traffic but it's usually moving quite fast, other than around the Mixing Bowl. I think it's just a lot of reverse commuters like me, who live in NoVA, DC or MD who work farther south.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by capitol

One thing I never understood is why there is so much traffic heading into D.C. in the weekday afternoons. I thought most people were leaving D.C. and entering Virginia. I was under the impression that not many D.C. people work in Virginia. Every day I see a huge traffic jam from the Pentagon to the 14th St bridge on I-95 North in both the regular lanes and HOV lane.

There are a lot of Marylander's working over in Virginia and cutting through town to go up the BW parkway etc.

Also, since DC has better dining options these days, going into the District in the evening is increasing.

And, if you were noticing the big backup yesterday, it's because the freeway was closed heading east and it back things up terribly if you were trying to get into town.

[Bigfoot424]

N/B in the afternoons, barring an incident, is certainly not heavier than S/B.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by capitol

One thing I never understood is why there is so much traffic heading into D.C. in the weekday afternoons. I thought most people were leaving D.C. and entering Virginia. I was under the impression that not many D.C. people work in Virginia. Every day I see a huge traffic jam from the Pentagon to the 14th St bridge on I-95 North in both the regular lanes and HOV lane.

I-95? It sounds like you mean i-395. At the location you describe, many DC and Maryland residents are heading home from the Pentagon and other nearby offices.

[capitol]

Originally Posted by dkf747

I-95? It sounds like you mean i-395. At the location you describe, many DC and Maryland residents are heading home from the Pentagon and other nearby offices.

Yeah I meant I-395.

There is certainly ton more traffic on I-95 South (anything south of Springfield). But, on I-395 I've noticed a lot of days where the traffic is insane to get into D.C. which makes little sense.

[gomason]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

There are a lot of Marylander's working over in Virginia and cutting through town to go up the BW parkway etc.

Also, since DC has better dining options these days, going into the District in the evening is increasing.

And, if you were noticing the big backup yesterday, it's because the freeway was closed heading east and it back things up terribly if you were trying to get into town.

This. There are tons of Marylanders that are commuting home from jobs in NOVA like at the Pentagon, Rosslyn, Crystal City, and even Fort Belvoir.

All the meanwhile, speeding through our neighborhoods. If I had a dime for every Marylander driving recklessly through Arlington (and DC for that matter), I'd be a millionaire.

I suppose thats why the Arlington Police set up directly across the bridge. A lot of garbage flows into Arlington.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by capitol

Yeah I meant I-395.

There is certainly ton more traffic on I-95 South (anything south of Springfield). But, on I-395 I've noticed a lot of days where the traffic is insane to get into D.C. which makes little sense.

It makes perfect sense. Not only commuters heading home, but travelers from the airport, people like yourself have reason to go into DC for whatever reason. It's a city. Traffic happens. Think about it. Why were you heading into DC? On top of that, 395 narrows to 3 lanes there. There are quite a few roads depositing traffic onto 395 there too. It all adds up because everyone wants to go that way at the same time. The same thing happens at all of the bridges crossing the Potomac near DC.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

There are a lot of Marylander's working over in Virginia and cutting through town to go up the BW parkway etc.

Also, since DC has better dining options these days, going into the District in the evening is increasing.

And, if you were noticing the big backup yesterday, it's because the freeway was closed heading east and it back things up terribly if you were trying to get into town.

That is what that was. The one day I go to Alexandria right after work to get my hair cut.

I think the new Ft Belvoir employees are choosing to live in Alexandria and Arlington and that has increased traffic going North the past few years. Still less deadly poison than going South though.

[NOVA_guy]

Originally Posted by The Dissenter

That is what that was. The one day I go to Alexandria right after work to get my hair cut.

I think the new Ft Belvoir employees are choosing to live in Alexandria and Arlington and that has increased traffic going North the past few years. Still less deadly poison than going South though.

Yep. The same is happening with people choosing to live in Springfield/Woodbridge and commute to Quantico.

Traffic going north during the evening has gotten heavier over the years. I'm assuming most of those people don't work in Fredricksburg. Maybe Stafford but I'd assume Quantico.

Sadly, all over the region, the days of having a traffic free reverse commute are pretty much over.