I live in Bethesda and I would leave home at 7. If you're taking your own car and leaving it in the long term parking then you need to leave even earlier or do what penguin six suggested.

Bethesda to Dulles should be a quick trip on the beltway, and you don't want to leave too early lest you hit rush hour traffic. For international, I'd probably want to arrive at 8:30 and I'd leave my home at 7:45.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Domestic flight? How much time do you want at the airport before takeoff? Won't your DD be asleep when you leave? I live in upper NW and would leave at 8:15 PM.

International flight. DD may be asleep. But even asleep, I want to be with her. I know. This trip is probably a good thing for me to deal with separation issues. 8:15 seem late. My husband tells me I should be there 3 hours before the flight. I think that's crazy, but I have not flown international in some time.

Oh, international flight is very different. I revise my answer to 7pm.

It's London (and I actually printed out that What to Do in London thread - so maybe I'll do some retail therapy). I appreciate all of the responses. Thanks!

For an international flight I get there 2 hours before. Most require that you are fully checked in 60 mins before so you don't want to miss that cut off. Are you flying first class or business class? If so you can go in the priority line which saves a little time. If not then I would do the full 2 hours, which means a 7:15 departure. I am on the beltway at that time several times a week (from bethesda) and it can still be heavy by 7/7:30 so don't cut it too close.

I would probably leave at 7 - I live Downtown DC. Also depends which airline I'm flying (some have sucky check-in and some are quick). I would also depend on which country. Are you flying to London - no biggy. Are you flying to Isreal...allow some extra time.

Anonymous wrote:Domestic flight? How much time do you want at the airport before takeoff? Won't your DD be asleep when you leave? I live in upper NW and would leave at 8:15 PM.

International flight. DD may be asleep. But even asleep, I want to be with her. I know. This trip is probably a good thing for me to deal with separation issues. 8:15 seem late. My husband tells me I should be there 3 hours before the flight. I think that's crazy, but I have not flown international in some time.

Domestic flight? How much time do you want at the airport before takeoff? Won't your DD be asleep when you leave? I live in upper NW and would leave at 8:15 PM.

It's my first trip since DD was born. It kills me to have to leave her. But I'm back at work, so I don't have much choice. Anyway, I live near downtown Betheda. What's the latest you think I can leave tonight via cab and still make it to the gate on time? I want to spend every minute possible with her.

-Stressed Out Mom