We'll be driving up north from Richmond, VA on Thursday 12/30 and will be passing through D.C. about noon. I have been stuck in incredible traffic here before, even during "off" hours. Does anyone have suggestions about which road would be best? (i.e. 495, I-95, Washington-Baltimore Parkway etc) Thanks so very much!

Since Friday 12/31 is the Holiday this year, you might run into some traffic.

I would consider 95 North, cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and take Rt 50 toward Annapolis, across the Ches Bay Bridge, up Rt 301 (great route - no traffic). Turn off on 896 to Rt 13 to Rt 1 back onto Rt 13. (You have to look at it on a map.) This will take you right into the Del Memorial Bridge.

Traffic wise, I found this to be a great route. I take it all the time because portions Rt 95 between Balto & Wilmington, especially around the holidays, can become parking lots.

I sometimes take a variation on Budman's suggestion. I take US-301 from just north of Richmond (Hanover?), which converges with Rt 50 at Bowie MD, between DC & Annapolis. You will encounter some traffic lights and lower speed limits for awhile in the area around Waldorf, but pretty much steer clear of both DC & BALT traffic.

If you choose to stay on I-95, I found that US1 from near Potomac Mills up to Alexandria & reconnecting to the Beltway just before the Woodrow Wilson bridge is another highway with slower speed limits and traffic lights, but eliminates the "mixing bowl" near Springfield VA. My guess is that at noon most traffic would be headed away from DC on this road.

A friend just called me and he is going southbound on I-95 right now at the VA/NC border. He said traffic is moving 15 miles per hour.

My suggestion would be to avoid I-95 completely if possible.

After two recent nightmare trips on 95 through DC I will avoid it as much as possible in the future. Traffic now extends southbound all the way to Fredericksburg. Of course you can always go up the Eastern shore but that tacks on an extra 1 1/2 hr trip for you to the Ches. Bay Bridge tunnel.

The NC/Va problem was caused by a snow/ice storm Sunday. Many wrecks, not enough snow plows, and people not driving appropriately for conditions. Temperatures above freezing today, but will refreeze tonight.

Coming north and hitting the Springfield mixing bowl area, I think you will be fine at Noon, heading around to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

As an alternate, I normally take Rt 395 into DC, across the 14th Street Bridge, taking the Southeast Freeway to the end, hop on Penn Ave, get in the left hand lane and take 295 North to Rt 50 East and on to Annapolis.

Do NOT take Route 1 north. If you want to experience what eternity feels like, drive that all of the way from Potomac Mills to Alexandria.

It's hit or miss with traffic. The mixing bowl probably will be okay, although you may sit for a bit on the Beltway before you get to Woodrow Wilson Bridge while traffic gets backed up because of the self-important people who jump the line to get on 95 South. And then it usually slows on the Bridge. But once you cross the bridge you should be fine.

Let me second rbtraveller's suggestion -- we never take I-95 north of Richmond but get off at the Ft. AP Hill exit, which eventually puts you onto 301 (please check a map before you do this, so you won't have any surprises), across the "Nice" bridge into Md. and up to I-97 to bypass Baltimore. Even with a few lights and a few malls, it's much preferable to the mess from Fredericksburg across the Wilson Bridge and up the BW parkway -- a pretty much guaranteed headache.

Wow- I can't thank you all enough for the wonderful suggestions! One time I was actually on the Beltway for 4 hours going to BWI and missed a flight. Never again. Thanks! - Jill