Cut thru DC from Baltimore to Richmond?
 

Hi
A few weeks ago some nice Fodorites gave me advice on how to cut thru DC to get from Richmond to Baltimore. Thanks! However, since it's a little complicated, NOW I need the reverse-------best way to cut thru DC to get FROM Baltimore to Richmond?
Thanks, thanks, thanks!
(I'm directionally challenged)
Linda

Take Route 97 South towards Annapolis from the Baltimore beltway, Route 695. When you hit Route 301/50, take it west towards DC. Near Bowie, take Route 301 South. Stay on Route 301 South into Virginia. Continue on 301 until you hit the northern Richmond suburbs where you can take Richmond's beltway to your destination.

George's directions don't have you "cutting through" DC at all.

You can come down I-95 or the BW Parkway from Baltimore and take New York Avenue into the city. From NY Avenue take the 395 S tunnel which will take you to the confluence of I-95/I-495/I-395 in Springfield. Take I-95 S from there.

If you do this at the right time of day you can take the express lanes all the way down to beyond LakeRige.

Take 295S to Howard Avenue, take a right at the light and cut through the sketchy neighborhood, veer right and go over the bridge onto S. Capitol St. and follow the signs to 395 S. Interpid's directions are just as good, but I avoid NY Avenue as it can get pretty backed up.

I go the way tusion recommended. Take the BWI Parkway (295) South, and 295 goes off to the left as you approach DC, with Rt 50 to the right.

Take 295 to Howard Road, Exit 3B. Take a look at it up close on mapquest.com because it can get a little tricky. ((b))

What day of the week? Approx. what time??

It really depends on the time of day, and it is a must to listen to the traffic reports. Before you start, listen to WTOP 103.5 FM, which has traffic on the 8s. There are 3 options. The most reliable is George's way 695 to 97S, which turns into Rte 3 S, which turns into 301S. Take 301 S across the toll bridge into Virginia. You may have to deal with the hell that is Waldorf, but that should be your only hang up. I would trust that over the many potential hang ups on the 495 beltway. But listen to the traffic reports first to make sure because there are occasional accidents that completely shut down 301.

The next option is 695 to 95 S to 495 W via exit 27 towards Silver Spring. Cross over the bridge into VA, then keep going until you hit the exit for 95 S again. Taking 495 that way, I got from Laurel to Warrenton (albeit taking 66 S) in an hour (on a Thursday around 2pm). Traffic starts early by 2 or 3 on Fridays.

The third option is 695 to 295 S to 395 S to 495 towards Richmond (95 S will be the first exit after getting on 495). If 395 sounds backed up, you can always stay on 295 S to 495 across the Woodrow Wilson bridge into VA.

If you make the trip often, I'd recommend getting a Northern VA street map, so you can see the side road short cuts if 495 is a mess.

jkeysar is right. Waldorf is one of the ugliest sprawl towns in the universe. Every franchise restaurant in the country has one of their food stys there; some have more than one. It must take ten lights to get through the village of Waldorf.