Richmond VA to Washington D.C. by car: On Tuesday May 1st, I need to drive fto the Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington D.C. I plan to leave Richmond at about 5:00 A.M. How much time...

Ventura Sam

On Tuesday May 1st, I need to drive fto the Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington D.C.
I plan to leave Richmond at about 5:00 A.M. How much time should I allow from Richmond Virginia to arrive at the airport?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Depends on traffic...
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Richmond,+VA/Ronald+Reagan+Washington+National+Airport+(DCA),+Arlington,+VA+22202/@38.2084874,-78.3566791,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b111095799c9ed:0xbfd83e6de2423cc5!2m2!1d-77.4360481!2d37.5407246!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b7b731402fe095:0x4168af016d076bad!2m2!1d-77.0402315!2d38.851242!3e0

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

Quite often I drive from Richmond (Glen Allen) to DC. I generally leave
at 10am and arrive at Noon. However, I am not hitting rush hour.. If
you leave Richmond at 5am you will be arriving in the DC metropolitan
rush hour area in an hour or so. Could be ugly.

Ventura Sam

Thanks Longshadow & Ricardo:
I appreciate your input. Sounds like Los Angeles traffic.
Traffic was my major concern so if I were to drive from Richmond to Springfield the night before and stay there, I can leave from Springfield which is about 15 miles away.
Thanks again.
Ventura Sam

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

Ventura Sam wrote:

Thanks Longshadow & Ricardo:
I appreciate your input. Sounds like Los Angeles traffic.
Traffic was my major concern so if I were to drive from Richmond to Springfield the night before and stay there, I can leave from Springfield which is about 15 miles away.
Thanks again.
Ventura Sam

That's the better plan.

CivilEngineer Loc: Northern Virginia

Leaving from Springfield is certainly better than Richmond, but if you’ll be heading north to Reagan anytime between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, the better bet is to keep driving the night before and continue to Crystal City. Tons of hotels and it puts you 5 minutes from DCA. Springfield to DCA in the morning is miserable, since you’re in the middle of traffic headed to both DC and the Pentagon, plus there are HOV restrictions on the northern part of I-395. Just my two cents...

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

It's a about 110 miles. I have traveled that route 250+ times via I 95. I can make it in about 1.6 hours, barring traffic. If I were making the trip, I'd leave at 4:00 AM to ensure avoiding commuter traffic. You'll have to spend a bit more time in the airport awaiting your flight, but it's better than being late.
Mark

Ventura Sam wrote:

On Tuesday May 1st, I need to drive fto the Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington D.C.
I plan to leave Richmond at about 5:00 A.M. How much time should I allow from Richmond Virginia to arrive at the airport?

Ventura Sam

Markngolf and CivilEngineer,
I am very grateful for your response, Staying the night at Crystal City appears to be my best option. It's not fun getting to the gates after the plane leaves.
Many, Many Thanks.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Wishing you safe & on time travel.
Mark

Ventura Sam wrote:

Markngolf and CivilEngineer,
I am very grateful for your response, Staying the night at Crystal City appears to be my best option. It's not fun getting to the gates after the plane leaves.
Many, Many Thanks.

switchman Loc: Virginia

Dulles is a better choice if your coming from Richmond if your still in planning stage.
Lots of hotels nearby and most offer airport shuttle. A bit less traffic too depending on time of day.
My 2 cents 😏

Dannj

Leaving at 5 should get you there 7-7:30 with "normal" traffic. Depending on the flight time...you didn't mention...I might go the night before.

RJWagons Loc: Lake Ridge Virginia

Getting to Dulles would put you through more rush hour traffic. Staying in Crystal City the night before would definitely be the least risky. If you stayed in Springfield - if you are able - you could take the train from there to the airport. That depends on how much luggage you have but the train stops right at the airport. BTW, why not leave from the Richmond airport?

saltysarge

"SERIOUSLY"