Burlington NJ to Dulles Airport (smithsonian annex)

Started by SteveG1988, September 14, 2013, 04:56:42 PM

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SteveG1988

I was thinking about taking this trip on my next vacation (probably in august 2014) and i want your opinion on taking US301 down to outside DC, friend going with me wants to avoid DC, he is contributing to the fuel. I was thinking US301 to US50, down to the beltway. I normally took I-95 down there but i want something different.

My questions:

1: Anything really interesting along that routing to see, or do?

2: what way would be the best to get to the dulles airport, clockwise or counterclock on the beltway, i would perfer to just stay on US50 through the city but my friend will not be too happy.

3: Any major construction projects?
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,


1995hoo

I've taken 301 and 50 quite a few times. Decent route as long as it's not a summer Sunday or the last day of a holiday weekend (this due to beach traffic: the Bay Bridge is an obvious chokepoint).

I would usually go clockwise on the Beltway (Inner Loop over the Wilson Bridge) because it's a bit better of a road and avoids some construction and a twisty section in Montgomery County. However, I'd first listen to a radio traffic report and I'd base my decision on that. WTOP 103.5-FM airs reports "on the 8s" (x:08, x:18, etc.) and WNEW 99.1-FM airs them "on the 1s." I think WTOP's reports seem to be a bit better, but that could just be that I think WNEW focuses too much on Maryland.

An alternate through the city is US-50 to DC-295, then the new exit to I-695 to I-395. You can then connect to I-66 or the GW Parkway. I hate I-66 inside the Beltway and so would avoid that.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

SteveG1988

Quote from: 1995hoo on September 14, 2013, 05:31:35 PM
I've taken 301 and 50 quite a few times. Decent route as long as it's not a summer Sunday or the last day of a holiday weekend (this due to beach traffic: the Bay Bridge is an obvious chokepoint).

I would usually go clockwise on the Beltway (Inner Loop over the Wilson Bridge) because it's a bit better of a road and avoids some construction and a twisty section in Montgomery County. However, I'd first listen to a radio traffic report and I'd base my decision on that. WTOP 103.5-FM airs reports "on the 8s" (x:08, x:18, etc.) and WNEW 99.1-FM airs them "on the 1s." I think WTOP's reports seem to be a bit better, but that could just be that I think WNEW focuses too much on Maryland.

An alternate through the city is US-50 to DC-295, then the new exit to I-695 to I-395. You can then connect to I-66 or the GW Parkway. I hate I-66 inside the Beltway and so would avoid that.

I will be trying for middle of the week, but if it is a weekend i have a plan, leave in the evening, get a hotel room, and just head there first thing in the morning
Roads Clinched

I55,I82,I84(E&W)I88(W),I87(N),I81,I64,I74(W),I72,I57,I24,I65,I59,I12,I71,I77,I76(E&W),I70,I79,I85,I86(W),I27,I16,I97,I96,I43,I41,

froggie

It's an alternative to the high-speed drag on I-95, but 301 on the Maryland Eastern Shore is about as exciting as watching paint dry.  50 has all-day HOV-2 lanes between US 301/MD 3 and just before the Beltway.  Two options to get out towards Dulles as Hoo mentioned, though as long as it's not afternoon, I-66 outbound shouldn't be an issue and I don't have the aversion to it inside the Beltway that Hoo does.  Follow the route through town that he suggested (beware of the tight loop ramp from 50 to 295 South), and you can use VA 110 to make the connection between I-395 and I-66.

1995hoo

Come to think of it, if it's afternoon, that segment of I-66 would be ideal for the OP because he'd qualify for HOV.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.



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