How to a a avoid dc traffic

Question

I am at va beach. What is the shortest rts to avoid dc traffic?

Answer

Driving from Virginia Beach to Washington DC can be tricky because of heavy traffic, especially around the Beltway and the city itself. To avoid the worst congestion, you’ll want to plan your route strategically and consider timing as well as alternative highways.

Here are some tips and route options:

Use I-64 West to I-295 / I-95 North: From Virginia Beach, take I-64 West toward Richmond. Near Richmond, you can connect to I-95 North. To avoid entering central DC traffic directly on I-95/I-395, consider taking I-295 North as a bypass on the eastern side of the city before connecting to I-395 into DC.
Take US-17 / George Washington Memorial Parkway: For a more scenic and often less congested route, you can head north on US-17 along the Potomac River, then use the George Washington Memorial Parkway toward Arlington and into DC. This avoids much of the interstate traffic but adds some time.
Avoid peak rush hours: If possible, plan your drive to avoid the 6:30–9:30 AM morning and 4:00–7:00 PM evening traffic windows. Even small shifts in departure time can save significant delays.
Use traffic apps: Google Maps or Waze in real time can reroute you around accidents or congestion, which is essential for avoiding unexpected delays in and around DC.

Other considerations:

Check for construction zones on I-95, I-495 (the Beltway), and I-395. Construction can add substantial delays.
If you’re flexible, an alternate route is to take I-64 West to I-295/I-95 North, then take local exits before the Beltway to enter DC through less congested streets like Eastern Avenue or New York Avenue depending on your final destination.
Another option is to use the commuter park-and-ride lots outside of the Beltway and Metro into DC, avoiding city driving altogether if you’re okay with partial transit.

In short, the “shortest” route in terms of distance may not always be the fastest due to traffic. Combining I-64 to I-95 North with a strategic bypass via I-295 or GW Parkway generally offers the best balance of time and ease, particularly outside peak hours.

How to a a avoid dc traffic

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