Confused please help!

Question

I am planning to fly over from the UK on Saturday 25th October until the evening of 31st October. Initial plan was first night in Washington, three nights at Cape May and two at Rehoboth Beach. The latter I have visited before but in hot summer so was hoping to do in a different season. Cape May I am very interested to see.

I realised I have given myself time to see virtually nothing in Washington so plan b was two nights in Washington and four on Cape May. Then hopefully do a day trip over on the ferry to Rehoboth.

My issue is transportation. Do I fly into Dulles or Baltimore? I think with a late afternoon arrival I would probably opt for taxi and then return to the airport on day three to pick up the car. It looks like this would need me then to drive across Washington to get to my destination. It all seems a bit messy transport wise so I wondered if anyone can untangle me. I have driven before in US cities but feel I might not fancy this on the first night of arrival

I would be after usual monument and museum taster in Washington. I would love to stay longer but the dates are fixed,

Answer

It sounds like you are trying to balance sightseeing in Washington DC with a relaxing visit to Cape May and Rehoboth Beach, all within a limited timeframe. Let’s break down your options and transportation logistics to make this smoother.

Arrival and Airport Choice:

Dulles International Airport (IAD) – This is about 26 miles west of downtown DC. Taxi or rideshare will take 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. It is a good option if you want to avoid driving immediately and prefer to take a cab or shuttle to your hotel.
Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) – Located about 30 miles northeast of DC. Travel time to downtown DC is around 50–70 minutes. It may be slightly more convenient if you plan to pick up your rental car for a road trip south, but not ideal if your first night is in the city since you still have to traverse urban traffic.

First Night in DC:

Since you arrive late afternoon, taking a taxi or rideshare from Dulles is easiest. Driving in DC on your first night, especially in unfamiliar traffic, can be stressful.
Stay central (near the National Mall or downtown) to maximize your short sightseeing time. You can see the White House, monuments, and some museums by foot or with short rides.

Car Rental Timing:

Plan to pick up your rental on day two or three for your road trip to Cape May. Most rental locations in DC are conveniently located near airports or central train stations.
Once you have the car, you can drive to Cape May without the pressure of navigating DC traffic on your arrival night.

Road Trip Logistics:

From DC to Cape May, it’s about 170–180 miles (3–4 hours) via I-95 and Garden State Parkway. Leaving in the morning is recommended to avoid traffic.
If you plan a day trip to Rehoboth Beach, it’s roughly 90–100 miles from Cape May (2 hours each way). Alternatively, you could swap a night in Rehoboth to reduce back-and-forth driving.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in DC, taxi to hotel, evening monument walk or light sightseeing.
Day 2: Half-day monuments/museums, then pick up rental car late morning or afternoon.
Day 3: Drive to Cape May, stop at scenic points if desired.
Day 4–5: Explore Cape May, optional day trip to Rehoboth Beach.
Day 6: Return to DC area (allow 4–5 hours), drop off rental if flying out from DC airports.

By taking Dulles for arrival, using a taxi first night, and picking up the car the following day, you minimize stress in the city and can enjoy your coastal portion comfortably.

Confused please help!

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