Tyson's Corner to Baltimore Drive Time
 

Some colleagues and I are on a temporary assignment in Northern Virginia, and would love to visit a couple new ballparks while we are in the area. We've already been to see a Nats game.

We'd like to drive up to Baltimore for a weekday evening game. I know that traffic will be horrendous, and we are fine with that. Can someone familiar with the area give me an idea of how long the trip will take to get to a 7pm game on a Tuesday?

On a weekend, with no traffic, it should only take about 50 minutes. Having said that, if you leave Tysons at 5:30 for a 7:00 game, there is too much rush hour for you to get there. My suggestion would be to leave about 3, have an easy drive and then hang out in Baltimore for awhile around the Inner Harbor or just the ballpark.

I've never tried to park at Camden Yards. Maybe someone can fill him in on the parking situation. That would even take more time. ((b))

Actually parking has never been that big a deal in Baltimore for us. Sometimes we park in the paid lots around the stadium, convenient and not too slow getting out again. Other times we'll go to the Baltimore Brewing Company (http://www.degroens.com)across the harbor and have a beer and leave the car there and walk to the game. Just a short walk across the harbor.

Leave now.

I'm serious.

Last time I tried it, I left Great Falls at 4:30 pm and didn't get to the game til 8 pm.

The good news is that when you get there, plenty of parking will be available in the lot and tickets too. And it is a nice day, and a great ballpark to watch a game.

I agree wholeheartedly: leave Tyson's NO LATER than 3:00 pm.

If by some miracle you get there an hour early, have a drink at a nearby pub or walk around the inner harbor.

There's a parking garage on Eutaw St., right next to the fire house. It's only two blocks from the ball park. Very convenient! And buy a soda from a street vendor before going in - prices are much cheaper than inside!!

So if I can leave Tyson's no earlier than 5:30, should I even attempt, or just find a different game?

I would suggest going on a weekend (Sat/Sun) or if you don't mind missing the first 2-3 innings, go for it during the week. ((b))

If you're going on a weeknight from Tysons, you'll hit traffic getting out of Tysons on Chainbridge or Rt. 7. You'll likely merge into slow or stopped traffic on the Beltway. If the pace picks up at all, it will slow down again at the American Legion Bridge and will stay slow until you pass the left side split-off for 270. In fact, the left 2-3 lanes will often be VERY slow and crowded from about the American Legion until the 270 split.

After you wind around 495 to Georgia Ave, you'll pick up even thicker traffic that is often at a standstill, as you drop a right lane to an exit and 270 traffic merges in. Once you get through the Connecticut Avenue area, it often lets up a bit, but it's still quite congested. 95 North to Baltimore is usually congested, but steady (unless there are traffic incidents). Getting into downtown Baltimore for a game often has delays on 395 in downtown Baltimore as well.

Either leave well before 4 or go when you can, and don't get upset if you miss a few innings. Parking in Baltimore will likely be the least of your worries.

I work in Tysons, and our main office is in Baltimore. The rush hour commute is bad, and 2 hours is standard, and 3 is fairly common. It's awful. Some people drive through town to catch 295 north, but that can be just as bad.

I am not sure if this is crazy (but am sure someone will let me know!)...
What about going west towards Loudoun Co (either Dulles Toll Road or 7W) and then taking 15N to 70. It takes us 40 minutes or so from Loudoun to Baltimore. The only traffic I think will be bad is 7W and then right outside of Baltimore since you avoid the beltway...

Shaya has a fairly good idea there but then when you get up on Route 70 you might want to come around Rt 100 to get closer to Camden Yards. After you've been on Rt 100 (a good 4 lane highway) you can get into Baltimore on 95.

It's still going to take you in a wide circle though - take a look at it on the map Take Rt 15 to I-70 and then the I-70 east spur toward Baltimore - then take Rt 100 east and then onto 95 or (maybe 395) into Camden Yards

Shaya's idea is a bit of a gamble, because 15 north of Leesburg is just a two lane road, which is often backed up until at least Lucketts, VA (and sometimes until Point of Rocks). If you went before 4, it might be okay (but beware of the school buses that will stop traffic). I have been stuck in stop and roll on 15N on multiple occasions on my way to Baltimore.

If you can't leave until 5:30 then you will miss the first inning. Maybe more. No way that I would go via Route 15.

We also have Class A ball in the area:
http://www.carolinaleague.com/teams/nationals.htm
Same game, only different.

kgh8m's post has me reliving some nightmares on two lane roads. We once got trapped in a funeral procession on 17...agony because you can't be a jerk in a funeral procession. We have never run into that on 15 (we go to Frederick that way on a fairly regular basis) but I'd hate for you to waste your time.
You really should see Camden Yards while you are here though. I have to agree, leave by 4pm at the latest.

leave at lunch and enjoy the day up there. lots to do in the Inner Harbor.