traffic bad in both directions? (live in, moving, place)

[sdepauw8]

Hello, I'm going to be working in the northern part of DC, on NW Oglethorpe St. I found an adorable place in Annandale, which is 18mi away. Googlemaps says it would be 50min drive with traffic, which I worry may be way off. If I go north on the beltway to about Bethesda during rush hour, is the traffic as bad as Rt 66 or 395?

[NOVAmtneer82]

I can't imagine it being any better...

[dkf747]

It's pretty much just as bad as the others. There may be other routes to take, but you have only a few bridges to choose from to cross the river. Those bridges just about always, are jam packed full of cars. Have you considered Maryland.

[claremarie]

I live in McLean, and regularly take the GW Parkway to 495 N to Bethesda in the mornings, usually leaving between 7:30 and 7:45 and getting off either at Democracy Blvd or River Road. There is surprisingly little traffic on the Inner Loop in the mornings on that stretch, However, River Road heading into the District is usually very slow-moving.

[DC's Finest]

If I were you, I wouldn't take 495 (Beltway). I would take 395 and then head north on 16th, 14th, 13th or 7th Streets NW to Oglethorpe Street. 395 can be dicey but it's more of a direct route, plus once you get into the city, you can always manuever. If you are stuck on the Beltway, then you are stuck and anything can cause a major delay. You just have more options IMO.