Attending Quantico Graduation from D.C.

Question

Hello. In mid-September we'll be staying in D.C. and taking one trip outside of the District to attend our son's graduation at Quantico. Do you have any advice regarding the logistics of traveling to and returning from Quantico? The graduation will be on a Thursday, probably in the morning (actual time tbd). We'll be staying near Dupont Circle. Does it make sense to rent a car in the District the day of (or day before) the graduation, drive to Quantico for the ceremony, then drive back to the District and return the car that day or the next? Also, any recommendations regarding convenient car rental establishments in the District? Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

Answer

Traveling from Washington, D.C. to Marine Corps Base Quantico for a graduation ceremony is fairly straightforward, but planning ahead will make your day smoother, especially since you'll be navigating D.C. traffic and potentially dealing with early morning congestion on I-95.

Quantico is approximately 35–40 miles south of D.C., and the drive typically takes 50–70 minutes under normal traffic conditions. However, since graduations attract large crowds, you should allow extra time for parking, security checks, and potential delays on the highways.

Regarding renting a car, it generally makes sense to rent for the day or the day before the ceremony. This allows you to avoid the hassle of trying to find and use alternative transportation on the day of the event. Driving yourself gives you flexibility, and most graduations require arriving early to pass through security, so having your own car is convenient.

Here are some options to consider for car rental logistics:

Rent a car the day before: Pick up your vehicle near Dupont Circle and keep it overnight. This ensures you have a car ready to go early in the morning and can depart D.C. at your preferred time.
Rent a car the day of the graduation: If you prefer not to deal with overnight parking or rental fees for an extra day, you can pick up a car early in the morning. Note that some rental locations may open later than you'd like, so check hours carefully.
Return the car the same day: After the ceremony, you can drive back to D.C. and drop off the car at the rental location. This is convenient if you plan to continue sightseeing or dining in the city afterwards.
Return the car the next day: If the graduation ends late or you want to avoid rushed returns, returning the car the following morning is a safe option. Some rentals may offer airport or central D.C. locations for flexible returns.

For car rental locations in D.C., consider establishments that are near your Dupont Circle hotel or within a short ride from public transit. Popular rental companies with central D.C. locations include:

Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Multiple locations throughout D.C., including near Dupont Circle and downtown.
Hertz: Locations near Foggy Bottom and downtown D.C.
Avis/Budget: Several city locations accessible by taxi or rideshare from Dupont Circle.
National Car Rental: Central locations and convenient for early morning pickup.

Additional tips for the trip:

Check Quantico’s visitor regulations ahead of time, as you will need ID and may be subject to security screening before entering the base.
Plan to arrive at least 60–90 minutes before the ceremony begins to allow for parking and checkpoint processing.
Consider traffic patterns: Southbound I-95 in the morning can be slower due to commuters, so give yourself extra buffer time.
Pack essentials the night before: IDs, tickets, water, snacks, and any camera gear.
Use a GPS or map app to monitor traffic in real time for the fastest route from D.C. to Quantico and back.

By renting a car and planning your departure and return carefully, you can enjoy a stress-free day attending your son’s graduation and still have time to return to D.C. comfortably.

Attending Quantico Graduation from D.C.

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