Washington DC traffic on the weekends
 

SO, traffic is awful in DC, but what about on the weekends?

May 16 - 18. The Friday would be bad but the Saturday Sunday?

Coming from Fair Oaks or Tysons Corner what could I expect to get downtown?

And how about Saturday afternoon/evening going to the Orioles game?

Thanks,

You may see some "slow down" spots coming in if you use I-66 and depending on the time of day on the weekends.
The notorious one is between the exits for Rte 7 and Glebe Road eastbound/inbound but it only slows down for a few minutes of your drive.

be aware that the afternoon "rush" around here revs up about 2-2:30 in the afternoon and lasts well BEYOND 6 PM on some routes.

Not sure about the Orioles trip..might depend on whether you use the B-W Parkway vs. I-95 but closer to the stadium I suspect you'll see traffic.

Am sure others may have better info about that.

What time on Friday will you be driving into/out of DC?

Generally speaking, Friday traffic will be horrendous. Sat/Sun will range from very mild delays (2 minute "slow" spots to downright pleasant. As mentioned, traffic to Orioles game will only get heavy once you get within a few miles of Orioles stadium.

We will arrive at about 10:00 a.m. so will probably hit the highway at about 11:00. I think we might stay downtown now - I found a good rate.

I thought we might spend lunch and the early afternoon in Alexandria and get to the hotel mid afternoon. Would that work out okay?

Now the issue is, should I go for the Orioles game Friday night - driving out of DC around 4:30 after checking in and taking a short break, or wait and go to the Saturday game. I expect the traffic out of DC toward Baltimore on a Friday afternoon is what the city is famous for and you would recommend against it?

If the advice is to go to the game Saturday, are there any recommendations on parking near the park? Should I buy a permit for one of the lots that they offer with the ticket? ANy tricks to getting out of Baltimore quickly after the game?

Finally, we leave Monday around 1:00 so I am guessing traffic from downtown to Dulles should be fine at around 10:30 a.m.?

Thanks for any tips.

<i>I think we might stay downtown now - I found a good rate.</i>
Good move.

<i>I thought we might spend lunch and the early afternoon in Alexandria and get to the hotel mid afternoon. Would that work out okay?</i>
OK, but not really neccessary. Old Town Alexandria is 10 minutes from downton DC by car or a few subway stops.

<i>I expect the traffic out of DC toward Baltimore on a Friday afternoon is what the city is famous for and you would recommend against it?</i>
Go on Saturday!

<i>If the advice is to go to the game Saturday, are there any recommendations on parking near the park? Should I buy a permit for one of the lots that they offer with the ticket? Any tricks to getting out of Baltimore quickly after the game?</i>
There are no magic tricks for quickly getting to/from the stadium by car. Get a parking permit with your ticket and deal with it like everyone else.

<i>Finally, we leave Monday around 1:00 so I am guessing traffic from downtown to Dulles should be fine at around 10:30 a.m.?</i>
Give yourself a little extra time - there are traffic backups on outbound I-66 even mid-mornings.

It's simple to get out of Baltimore after a game. There's tons of paid parking in the area, and then it is a short walk to Camden Yards. DO NOT PARK IN THE NEIGHBOURHOODS surrounding the park, as you will be tickets or towed. ALL of the neighbourhoods are residential permit parking ONLY!!! (i am a resident of said neighbourhood)

NO!!!!!! You mean there is actually a &quot;downside&quot; to sticking a bunch of stadiums in the middle of residential neighborhoods??????