Google Maps has it pegged at 3 hours, but is that right?

I don't know too much about Washington DC traffic, we have to pass right through the metro area and will be traveling on a Wednesday morning...anyone care to weigh in on how long it might really take?

Thanks for any advice (or shortcuts!)

freetrip.com shows the trip from Annapolis through DC to I-66 to 29-211 in Gainesville to Warrenton and 211 west to Luray as 120 miles, 2:22. The only way to avoid DC traffic is to take the beltway around to I-66.

Sounds about right. But using the beltway does not guarantee avoiding traffic. Leave Annapolis no earlier than 9:30 AM to avoid the worst traffic on Route 50 and beltway.

Thanks for the tips. We'll give it a shot, leaving after 9:30am.

It may be quicker if you stay on I-66 to Front Royal and then take rte 340 west to Luray. That way you avoid the traffic on rtes 29-211 between Gainesville and Warrenton, and going over the mountain between Sperryville and Luray.

Just one more comment: Don't know the whys and wherefores of this trip, but if you are traveling and sightseeing, you might consider entering Skyline Drive at Front Royal and traveling south on this road (a nice, not congested 2 lane road) to the turn off toward Luray. (This is an entrance to a national park so there will be a fee to enter.) We just took this route on our way to WV and enjoyed the wildlife and wildflowers on this particular leg. Unfortunately this time of the year, the air is usually a bit too hazy to get the great scenic vistas.

See the first 5 pictures at this site:

http://tinyurl.com/hxjb4

Estimated time is accurate. As others have said, I would leave a little more time in case you hit traffic on the infamous DC beltway.

Good luck!