Inner Loop and Outer Loop of the Beltway Meaning.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if there are generational differences also? I grew up with paper maps. and you had to plot your own directions. It actually took me a couple of years of living here to completely fill out my mental map, and I had the city flipped backward in my mind for a year or so.

That was mostly I think because I was taking metro, so I'd have the section around a metro station committed to memory but I couldn't join them up in my head.

[Anonymous]

When I moved here almost 30 years ago, I had conversations about the Inner and Outer Loops very similar to what's being said here. Some people understood it and some didn't. It matters less now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about the fruit loop? Where is that?

DuPont Circle. Duh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a little troubling that this is in question to some.

It’s not obvious when I am driving in Maryland where the inner part of the loop is.

? It is very obvious. It is the cars going by you in the other direction.

[Anonymous]

I was hoping this was going to be a snarky thread about the cultural differences of inside vs. outside the Beltway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a little troubling that this is in question to some.

It’s not obvious when I am driving in Maryland where the inner part of the loop is.

? It is very obvious. It is the cars going by you in the other direction.

Huh?

Not if you're going from Bethesda to College Park. Then you are on the inner loop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a little troubling that this is in question to some.

It’s not obvious when I am driving in Maryland where the inner part of the loop is.

? It is very obvious. It is the cars going by you in the other direction.

Huh?

Not if you're going from Bethesda to College Park. Then you are on the inner loop.

This thread is going around in circles.

[Anonymous]

It’s not obvious when I am driving in Maryland where the inner part of the loop is.

It's more obvious in VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How people don’t get which is the inner and which is the outer blows my mind. Makes me fear for the future if this country.

If you are new to the area, it’s not exactly obvious !!

Umm yes it is. At least to anyone with 2 functioning brain cells.

I’ve lived here over 25 years and still get confused while driving. I’m directionally challenged to begin with. I never know whether to go left or right even when walking out of an elevator. But I’m actually pretty smart at other things like finance and my job. Ivy degree and everything. I wonder if gender has anything to do with it. I am told (by a man) that men are better at directions than women.

It’s not gender, it’s genetics. Some people’s brains are wired to navigate their route on a map contained entirely in their mind.
Google: “the Knowledge”

gps, google maps.... have also caused people to not develop this ability.

[Anonymous]

Also there are road signs on 495 that literally say “495 inner loop” or “495 outer loop” if you aren’t sure which direction you’re going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a little troubling that this is in question to some.

It’s not obvious when I am driving in Maryland where the inner part of the loop is.

? It is very obvious. It is the cars going by you in the other direction.

Huh?

Not if you're going from Bethesda to College Park. Then you are on the inner loop.

That’s wrong. If you are going from Bethesda to College Park, that is the OUTER loop. Don’t worry, it took me forever to get it too and I’ve been here 29 years!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a little troubling that this is in question to some.

It’s not obvious when I am driving in Maryland where the inner part of the loop is.

? It is very obvious. It is the cars going by you in the other direction.

Huh?

Not if you're going from Bethesda to College Park. Then you are on the inner loop.

That’s wrong. If you are going from Bethesda to College Park, that is the OUTER loop. Don’t worry, it took me forever to get it too and I’ve been here 29 years!

No...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a little troubling that this is in question to some.

It’s not obvious when I am driving in Maryland where the inner part of the loop is.

? It is very obvious. It is the cars going by you in the other direction.

Huh?

Not if you're going from Bethesda to College Park. Then you are on the inner loop.

That’s wrong. If you are going from Bethesda to College Park, that is the OUTER loop. Don’t worry, it took me forever to get it too and I’ve been here 29 years!

If you are going from Bethesda to College Park via Virginia, yes -- that is the OUTER loop. Otherwise, Bethesda to College Park while saying in MD is most definitely the INNER loop.