Getting to National Airport at 10:00 p.m. July 4

[Anonymous]

I have to pick someone up at DCA at 10:00 p.m. July 4. I'll be coming down the GW Parkway from the north. How crazy will it be with everyone leaving the fireworks? I don't want to tell her to get on Metro because I know that's nuts at that time, but I don't want to get caught in a massive traffic jam either.

I've only ever gone to the fireworks on Metro so I have no idea what the GW Parkway will look like at that time. Does anyone have any experience or advice to share? Will it be okay if I'm on it during the fireworks as everyone will be watching and hopefully not on the road? Or is it better to tell her to hang at the airport until 11:00 to wait for traffic to clear out?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'd tell her to wait, uber, or metro. The parkway will be busy, and people often camp out on along the Mt. Vernon trail to watch.

[Anonymous]

Omg. This sounds horrendous. Can she just like.... stay at a hotel in Crystal City for a night?

[Anonymous]

My advice is don't do it. However, if this is something you absolutely insist on doing, take Glebe Road the whole way instead of the Parkway.

[Anonymous]

Who is the awful person doing this to you? If she doesn't have the cash for a hotel, PAY FOR ONE FOR HER if you even remotely can. Worst "plan" ever.

[Anonymous]

I'd have her take a cab or lyft somewhere away from the airport and you can meet her there. 10pm is honestly the absolute worse time. The fireworks start at like 9:15 or so.

Or yes, have her hang out at the airport until after 11pm and then go pick her up.

I'd avoid the parkway entirely if possible from 8pm-10:30pm.

[Anonymous]

Could she metro somewhere where you could pick her up? That may be easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could she metro somewhere where you could pick her up? That may be easier.

Metro is a bad time after fireworks on the 4th. If she's coming up from the airport and OP is coming from the north on GW Parkway, she would almost certainly have to switch trains at Rosslyn. That is NOT a recommended procedure for a metro amateur on July 4th after fireworks.

[Anonymous]

I would re-think this friendship/relationship entirely.

[Anonymous]

I've flown in at this time. Definitely just tell her to take a cab. The coolest thing will be seeing the fireworks from the air! It's a sight I'll never forget.

[Anonymous]

DCA is closing for part/all of the fireworks. So I would confirm her time of arrival.

[Anonymous]

This is the most inconsiderate guest I’ve ever heard in my life! You will not be able to get there. Forget it. Tell her to take metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to pick someone up at DCA at 10:00 p.m. July 4. I'll be coming down the GW Parkway from the north. How crazy will it be with everyone leaving the fireworks? I don't want to tell her to get on Metro because I know that's nuts at that time, but I don't want to get caught in a massive traffic jam either.

I've only ever gone to the fireworks on Metro so I have no idea what the GW Parkway will look like at that time. Does anyone have any experience or advice to share? Will it be okay if I'm on it during the fireworks as everyone will be watching and hopefully not on the road? Or is it better to tell her to hang at the airport until 11:00 to wait for traffic to clear out?

Thanks!

Tell her to get on Metro.

[Anonymous]

If she’s getting on at the airport, it won’t be a bad trip on Metro. At that hour people will be headed out of DC not in and it probably won’t be that crowded.