When we park in economy at Dulles my husband drops the three of us at the curb where we check in the luggage and then he goes to park, since it is kind of far.

I travel between Stevensville and Alexandria all of the time. As with anything re the bride, I would Waze it re the path you're going to take but you're likely to take 50, 495 inner loop to WW bridge and then all the way around to Dulles Toll Road. I would make sure to have an EZ pass (which I assume you do if you're regularly going across the bridge) and use the express lanes on 495 after the mixing bowl, whether or not you have 3 (just pay).

You cannot predict the traffic across the bay bridge on any given day, or 50 or 495. So I would give you extra time. To get from Stevensville (Romancoke) to Alexandria takes me anywhere 60-75 min without stopping, then from Alexandria to Dulles if going direct, with HOV lane takes 30-40.

Perhaps stop at Reston Town Center for dinner, then go off to Dulles.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s 3 hours before an international flight

7:45 is latest to get to tge airport

It took us over an hour and a half two weejs ago just to get through security fir a 10 pm united flight up London

Better not have checked bags carry on only

Terrible nonsense. I fly internationally all the time and 2 1/4 hours is plenty, even with checked lugggage. 2 1/2 if you want to be super careful. 3 hours is ridiculous.

+1
OP is also planning way too much time for parking.

It gives me second-hand anxiety to think of traveling from Kent Island to Dulles between 4 and 7.

OP here - this is exactly how I feel. I did the commute as a young person - pre-kids - and now arrange my schedule to be off the beltway before 3:00 or after 8:00. Anything can happen!

I would plan in extra time, because that would be less stressful for me- but I wouldn't bother with Udvar Hazy. I think I'd plan just enough time to do dinner outside the airport somewhere. If traffic is terrible, skip it and eat in the airport.

For me- it's annoying to be a little early, but way less stressful.

I would also be stressed about trying to fit in another activity. Just leave your home an hour before you think you have to and plan to have extra time at the airport.

Honestly, I wouldn’t go to a busy museum or any other public place and risk catching germs before vacation.

Just leave your home really early so you have plenty of time.

I’d want to get around the Beltway as early as possible, simply because rush hour traffic (either way you go around) is usually terrible and occasionally the stuff of nightmares. It gives me second-hand anxiety to think of traveling from Kent Island to Dulles between 4 and 7.

A lot depends on the ages of your kids. Udvar is a good option. Frying Pan Park is free, close by, and great for younger ones or kids who like animals. You could kill a bunch of time walking around Reston Town Center — plus there are good dinner options there. Top Golf is 15 minutes away.

OP here - Thanks, everybody. I really appreciate it! I agree with everyone. Final decision will probably depend on how the packing is going!

Anonymous wrote:It’s 3 hours before an international flight

7:45 is latest to get to tge airport

It took us over an hour and a half two weejs ago just to get through security fir a 10 pm united flight up London

Better not have checked bags carry on only

And they say 2 hours for domestic but I’ve never done that. 3 hours for international is way too long. Really the only difference in the process between international and domestic is that the boarding process for international flights starts a little earlier. Even if you check luggage, bag drop isn’t that complicated these days if you do advance check in.

Anonymous wrote:It’s 3 hours before an international flight

7:45 is latest to get to tge airport

It took us over an hour and a half two weejs ago just to get through security fir a 10 pm united flight up London

Better not have checked bags carry on only

I've been flying international out of Dulles for 15 years. You are insane. I've never waited more than 30 minutes for security. It's usually no more than 10 minutes. I never walk through the doors at Dulles more than 100 minutes before departure.

Anonymous wrote:From Kent Island, the issue is the Wilson Bridge which is often just a parking lot for rush hour.

This!

Does the Marriott hotel have nice restaurant options?

Eat at Pieros or someplace like thar

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a premier pass? There are lounges.

If you are referring to Priority Pass, the lounges at IAD in PP are run by airlines, and they have blackout hours for their own flyers. That time of evening is when they all are busy/blacked out since they run their own flights to Europe then.

Etihad switched its departure to 230pm so the Chase lounge is now more available to those evening flyers. Fwiw.