Hi
We drive frequently from Richmond to Baltimore. We go 495 around DC. Is there a faster way, cutting thru town? I tried 395 once, but that was a disaster. (got lost!)
Thanks,
Linda

Never EVER go through or even around DC to Baltimore. We go to Balmer a couple of times a year, and we always cut over on Ret. 201 (207) to/through Fort AP Hill, across the "Nice" (that's its name) Bridge into Maryland. Follow 301 either to 5 to the Beltway around to the BW Pkway (or 95), or else stay with 301 until it merges with I97 and on into Baltimore. You get some lights around Waldorf and Landover, but it's a 1000 times better than gridlock on I95 near Springfield or trying to wiggle through Anacostia.

"Ret. 201" should read Rte. 301, next exit or two after Kings Dominion.

Depending on time of day, this can be a wise way to bypass the beltway. Take 395 North in northern Virginia. That takes you to the 14th Street Bridge which spans the Potomac River between Virginia and DC. The Bridge becomes 14th Street NW in Washington. Take it to L Street NW where you will take a right. L Street will merge with Massachusetts Avenue within three blocks. Follow the flow of the traffic; it should be unmistakeable. Massachusetts Avenue, in turn, curves into what is New York Ave NW a couple blocks further (DC's avenues with state names confuse non-Washingtonians all the time as they often bisect each other and metamorphise in odd directions) along. Take New York Avenue through NW and NE and out of town past the Washington Times building and New York Ave become highway. Within a mile, the road forks in two directions. Hang to the left. The fork to the right is Route 50 East and it will take you through central Prince George's County and all the way to Annapolis and eventually Maryland's delightful Eastern Shore (I live there). The fork to the left is the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, also known as Route 295 and, more obscurely, the Gladys Noone Spellman Parkway, named after a long dead, obscure congresswoman. The Baltimore-Washington Parkway will take you to Baltimore.

OK, here's the best and quickest route in my opinion. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

As Shane says, take 395 directly into Washington over the 14th Street Bridge.

Once you cross the bridge, stay to the right and continue on 395/295. Rt 395 merges off to the right. Stay to the left and continue straight on Rt 295 (Southeast Fwy). Ignore the signs to 295 South. You want to go North.

The Fwy ends at RFK Stadium (to the left) and Pennsylvania Ave, ramp to the right. At the light at the top of the ramp to PA Avenue, turn right -- cross the river, and merge into the left-hand lane. The first light (left-hand turn) will be Rt 295 North.

Rt 295 will lead you directly into the Balto-Wash Parkway to Balto.

395 after crossing 14th St Bridge is a disaster in my opinion -- lots of traffic and lights. With these directions, you will stay on highway, and only hit 2 stop lights -- one at the top of the ramp onto Pennsylvania Avenue, and the other to get onto 295.

Look at the route in detail on mapquest. I've been taking it for years.

I agree with Budman. Shane's approach is awfully complicated (and not even the fastest way to get to New York Ave.). It all depends on the time of day.

If you do go the Rt 301 way, the exit off of I-95 is #104. 15 minutes after getting in MD you'll hit a 10 mile stretch of stores and stuff. Ughh! Where are all these people coming from? 2 hours and 10 minutes from exit 104 to I-97 N. Then another 15- 20 minutes to the Baltimore beltway.

Barney's right about 301 but I take it anyway, having been caught on the Beltway moving at 4 MPH for 3 hrs. Don't lose your nerve going through the stretch of shopping strips, you'll be glad once you get past it and zip into Baltimore.

We used to cut through the city using some variation of Shane's or Budman's routes, and just got sick of the jam-ups on 395 (Shirley Highway) or the bridges or trying to get onto NY Ave or through Anacostia. Rush hour is so much longer than the rest of the day -- your window is pretty much 11 am to 2 pm, if that; and weekends are completely unpredictable.

Not so sure about the 2 hrs. 10 min., measure -- maybe on a Sat. midday, which might be a time to try the other route.

If it's outside rush hour when traffic will be heading into DC (any time other than 5-9 a.m. on weekdays), Budman's route is the best - 395 to 295. If it's rush hour into DC (5-9 a.m.), then take Rt 301 into Maryland (Cassandra's route). I've taken the route that Shane gives but I do think it's complicated and longer than Budman's route.

linda8-

There is an ASTRONOMICAL amount of construction on I95 N to 495 and 395 at the DC mixer bowl....

2 weeks ago on TV in VA, they recommended you take 301 N or S ( to or From Baltimore) and NOT go anywhere near DC as traffic was tied up for over 8 hrs...from Richmond!!!

A friend of hubs went 301 N to Conneticut that weekend and thanked us for the heads up as it saved him HOURS that he would ordinarily been in ONE lane bumper to bumper traffic..

I live east of Richmond and always take I-295 around Richmond and get off on 301 heading north, go across Potomac river bridge as prior poster said. Baltimore in 2.5 hours.

Previous poster means the NICE (Governor Nice) bridge that crosses the potomac. And my driving time estimate is dead-on. Barring any accidents.
Tip: cheapest gas is immediately after you take exit 104. And remember the Boy Scout jamboree is on Rt 301 N at Fort AP Hill if you are going this week. That probably won't slow traffic since most scouts don't drive around. And that section is very light traffic anyways. After you pass Fort AP Hill and start through the woodlands watch for cops. They'll be there. And no toll fee going north over that bridge, just on the southbound side.

Taking 301 North near Bowling Green, VA is a fine way to go as well. It's a nice drive except for the vile suburban sprawl of Waldorf, which lasts for about ten traffic lights.

I have another way of cutting through DC using Rhode Island Avenue but it is too complex for someone who hasn't spent 45 years in the DC area like I have.