We will be traveling south on 495 on a weekday in July and would like to park at one of the metro stations near Rte 66 and spend the day around the mall. We have mid-morning to around 8-9PM free. Are there likely to be parking spaces free at any of the orange line stations or will they be swamped by commuters?

I think Vienna, at the Western end of the Orange line, would be your best bet. It's on the 66, not far from the 495. They have extensive parking there.

I hear that the lots on the west end of the Orange line (such as Vienna) fill up shortly after 7 on weekdays, huge though the lots are.

Look into the Virginia Railway Express. www.vre.org The Manassas line runs near Rte 66 a bit farther out (Prince William County). It is a little pricier than Metro ($4 each way) and it has a set schedule, but you will find more parking at the farthest stations during the commuting hours. It is an hour ride from the farthest station to L'Enfant Plaza and you are more likely to get a seat. It is a nice ride with double decker train cars and the whole ride is above ground instead of the tunnel that half the Orange metro line will be so you can actually sight see on the trip, not that there is a ton to see, but it is better than a concrete wall.

OK then, I have another suggestion. From the 495 take the 66 Eastwards i.e. towards DC, and get off at the Ballston exit. Shortly after the exit, turn right onto Glebe Road heading South. Just after you cross Wilson Boulevard, you will find the Ballston Parking Garage on your left. I've never known that to be full at any time of the day. You'll pay a few dollars but be guaranteed a space. From there it is just a couple of minutes walk through the Ballston Mall, across an overhead walkway (follow Metro signs) to the Ballston Metro, also on the Orange line but nearer to DC than Vienna. The Orange line goes direct to the Mall (Smithsonian station).

I second the Ballston suggestion, from Ballston the ride to Smithsonian is maybe 10 minutes, with no train changes. Easy in and easy out.

I third the Ballston suggestion. I used to park there myself. I don't think it's any more than $5 for the day.

When you get in there, just drive all the way to the top level of the garage. There's always plenty of parking up there, and then you don't waste time driving up and down the aisles.

Thank you everyone!

Ballston to Smithsonian is more like 25 minutes... but it's still a good idea.

you can park in the Vienna lot, the new parking garage does get full BUT there is a whole huge line of parking spots(several floors) which 'are 'reserved'... but if the folks do not show up by 10 AM they are free to grab.

given that actual commuters are already in town by then - there are always a lot of free spots. it's about 45 minutes to the Smithsonian stop from there (20 minutes to Ballston. 25 more to SI)

if you are unfamiliar with the area, Vienna might be easier to find than the Ballston parking. (the Vienna lot is right off 66, wiht Ballston you have to hunt a little bit and it is not marked or anything.)

Someone should warn you about getting TO the parking garages. . .Driving on rt. 66 is always a nightmare but even more so on a weekday travelling east between 8-9 a.m.. Prepare yourself for D.C. morning gridlock!!

Sorry - my fault - I misread your e-mail thinking you would be travlling between 8-9 a.m. If you plan to be on 66 after 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m., traffic shouldn't be that bad. The garages do fill up though. ..

oh but Sarah, I live next to the Vienna metro - getting into town even after they lift HOV is a nightmare. it does not get better until after 10 AM.

if you are coming off 495, you will have about 8 miles to go to get to Ballston, and it could take 25 minutes after 930.

IF you do it before 930, still HOV - you are much better off - not even 10 minutes. I take it you will not be alone?

Original poster here. We will be arriving sometime after 11 AM. It now appears that the date will be July 3. I certainly appreciate all of the excellent advice. These things are rarely discussed in the guidebooks.

On July 3, Congress is going to be out of session. It sounds crazy, but this will cause traffic to be much less backed up on Route 66. You should be okay at 11 am if you want to park in Ballston. It's only 2 miles or so from the interesection of 496 and 66 to the Ballston exit anyway, so you should be fine.