I can't help with rush hour times in Maryland since I live in Northern Virginia, but I can recommend 2 things:

1) Post your question on the Washington D.C. forum on Trip Advisor. It gets a lot of "action".

2) Tune your radio to WTOP-FM (103.5) as you drive to D.C. for up-to-the-minute traffic reports every 10 minutes.

I'd allow another half-hour just in case of traffic snarls, which sometimes occur on Route 50. But in general, Fridays in the summer are pretty light.

I have taken that route before to that area. It's probably OK. You do have to watch your speed in D.C. They have traffic cameras.

Thank you, both!

And it won't be too much fun driving back to Easton on a Friday afternoon, but you know that!

You are a good friend or relative to do this!

Hub and I took 50 into DC often and the directions look good. We usually went all the way into town but on two occasions, took SD for other things and it went fine. In fact, I always wished SD was in our direction because the slow downs started to occur just after it! You should be fine.

I agree with above, traffic should be slightly lighter but I don't believe school is out by June 1 so allowing 1/2 hour extra is very good advice. So is listening to WTOP for traffic info (on the "8s").

[If you can print out a good map of the area showing route 202, Landover Road, that would give you a "drop off" point should there be an unusual problem.]

Here's a technique I sometimes use here in Los Angeles. Go to your Google Map where it gave you the route and estimated driving time. Just under the driving time it says "In current traffic" and shows a time that often is the same as the estimated time, but may be longer during rush hour. Check this in advance (like this coming Friday) at the time you plan to drive on June 1, to get a feel for what the traffic will be like.

The suggest route is good. Rt. 50 will be heavy traffic but once you get off it and onto South Dakota Ave., traffic will be light and/or against the flow.

Still, I would suggest you leave home at 6:30 as a cushion. All it takes is an accident or a broken down car on Rt. 50 to screw things up royally.

Such great advice and help. Thank you, all, very much!

Actually, Ackislander, I hadn't thought of that. I'll keep it in mind when planning the return.

Hi all,

Just want to thank you, again, and to let you know the drive went well and I had no trouble finding the Basilica. Being a bit of a time nerd, I left the house just before 6 and didn't hit a slow down until 4 miles out from the South Dakota exit. I was at the Basilica by 7:15. Amazed by how easy it is to drive to DC from here.

Here's a pic of the happy grad!

[IMG]http://i47.tinypic.com/10nb1nl.jpg[/IMG]