Traffic/travel time

[xlilxbaorder]

Anyone know how bad traffic usually gets around DC on Fridays?  Trying to decide if I should metro in or buy a parking pass for Kaiser Chiefs show. Coming from Northern VA into DC. Helpful suggestions/tips are welcome. Thanks!

[DeathFromAbove1979]

I guess it depends where you're coming from.... I live about 5 mintues from the mixing bowl and it takes me roughly 30 minutes to get from my front door to a parking spot in the U Street Corridor. Traffic can be kind of a pain during rush hour, especially once you hit 14th Street. It really depends on the time. If you head in after 7 or 8 the traffic shouldn't be an issue. Really depends though, last week they were doing some construction work on 14th that had it down to a single lane. Just check Google maps before you leave and see if there are any red spots. Also check Metro's Twitter page to see of any delays because sometimes the Metro can be much more of a hassle than sitting in traffic for a few minutes.

[MindCage]

I guess it depends where you're coming from.... I live about 5 mintues from the mixing bowl and it takes me roughly 30 minutes to get from my front door to a parking spot in the U Street Corridor. Traffic can be kind of a pain during rush hour, especially once you hit 14th Street. It really depends on the time. If you head in after 7 or 8 the traffic shouldn't be an issue. Really depends though, last week they were doing some construction work on 14th that had it down to a single lane. Just check Google maps before you leave and see if there are any red spots. Also check Metro's Twitter page to see of any delays because sometimes the Metro can be much more of a hassle than sitting in traffic for a few minutes.

Or turn right on Penn Ave from 14th and then go up 13th to avoid a lot of traffic and bs.

[i am gay and i like cats]

i always take sixty six into constitution, to a left on seventh, all the way up (enjoy the cops on evey corner past l or m or n or something) to a left on v street, which is just after florida ave, and after one block on v, you will see the club building on the right.  not sure if on a friday night is any different than other nights, including sat, but that is the only way i take to the club.

[Yada]

i always take sixty six into constitution, to a left on seventh, all the way up (enjoy the cops on evey corner past l or m or n or something) to a left on v street, which is just after florida ave, and after one block on v, you will see the club building on the right.  not sure if on a friday night is any different than other nights, including sat, but that is the only way i take to the club.

The last thing you want to do is drive all the way through Chinatown (7th Street) on a Friday/Saturday night, especially if something is going on at the V Center.

[Bombay Chutney]

I recommend Metro.  It can be frustrating at times, but overall it's a lot more consistent than driving.  Especially during rush hour.  Single-tracking can cause some delays at night, but if you plan things well, it's not usually too bad.

[Yada]

Hai Guys,

How awful would life be to attempt to head to either Richmond or Cville on a Thursday late afternoon? What's the latest you could leave the DC area and not turn this into a five hour trip? Should I just wait until like 8pm to leave?

Thanks in advance for your participation/advice.

[Julian, Forum COGNOSCENTI]

Hai Guys,

How awful would life be to attempt to head to either Richmond or Cville on a Thursday late afternoon? What's the latest you could leave the DC area and not turn this into a five hour trip? Should I just wait until like 8pm to leave?

Thanks in advance for your participation/advice.

I'm, obviously, usually going the other way but from my experience, I don't notice southbound 95 getting jammed until around 4 from my vantage point going northbound. I would therefore suggest you try to get out of the city by 3 so you can be south of Fredericksburg by 4 when things start getting dicey.

Cannot help you with C'Ville.

[hutch]

Hai Guys,

How awful would life be to attempt to head to either Richmond or Cville on a Thursday late afternoon? What's the latest you could leave the DC area and not turn this into a five hour trip? Should I just wait until like 8pm to leave?

Thanks in advance for your participation/advice.

I think you at least have one thing going for you which is that its late August...


Usually I have found it horrible no matter when I go... until you get past Potomac Mills its usually pretty bad... and last time it was bad even past Potomac Mills..

But if it was me I would probably gamble that I could get by quickly around 3 pm-ish but it would really just be a gamble...I think you could always see how it looks on Thursday early afternoon by putting your drive into mapquest.. I think they will tell you if traffic conditions are bad..

[Space Freely]

I-95 South until Fredericksburg can get pretty bad just about any time of the day.

For Charlottesville I assume you would take 66? Not really sure on that one.

[hutch]

I-95 South until Fredericksburg can get pretty bad just about any time of the day.

For Charlottesville I assume you would take 66? Not really sure on that one.

you would take 66 but after that you take I think 29 or some other smaller road with quite a few stop lights...still you do allright in my experience...

going to C-ville I would think you'd move faster than going to Richmond.. because the NOVA traffic on 95south is brutal..

[Space Freely]

I-95 South until Fredericksburg can get pretty bad just about any time of the day.

For Charlottesville I assume you would take 66? Not really sure on that one.

you would take 66 but after that you take I think 29 or some other smaller road with quite a few stop lights...still you do allright in my experience...

going to C-ville I would think you'd move faster than going to Richmond.. because the NOVA traffic on 95south is brutal..

Yup, agree on all points.

[grateful]

Playing with the "depart at" feature on google maps.  Seems to think leaving at 3:00 is the worst choice.

Maps

[Yada]

Thanks for the pointers.

Option 1: Head to Richmond Thursday and enjoy all the lovely beers and crash on Jules' couch.

Option 2: Head to Cville Thursday and enjoy a cheap hotel.

Option 3: Head to Cville Friday morning and totally disregard previous options.

[moeszyslak]

Option 2: Head to Cville Thursday and enjoy a cheap hotel.

Lockn preparty with Ween cover band Peen
http://www.thesoutherncville.com/events/detail/lockn-pre-party-with-peen-and