Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 21:35     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Gas prices are too low
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2025 12:10     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
“Coffee Clocking”
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 14:32     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Its a major east coast thru-way.


Yes, but wasn’t always like this.


Yes, it has. You must have come to the area during or post Covid.


Lol, I’m a native.

Rush hour used to be a thing on 495/395/66. Now they suck virtually all the time, including weekends.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 14:09     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Anonymous wrote:Tysons area from mid-Nov to early January is completely gridlocked by the way.


This!
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 13:49     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Nothing new. Yawn.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 13:34     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Its a major east coast thru-way.


Yes, but wasn’t always like this.


Yes, it has. You must have come to the area during or post Covid.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 11:49     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Anonymous wrote:Its a major east coast thru-way.


Yes, but wasn’t always like this.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 11:37     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:too many people not enough roads


Too many people thinking they should drive everywhere they need to go, too little public transit.

There are cities far more densely populated than DC, with larger overall populations, and less gridlock. The answer is moving people in more efficient ways than cars.


DC area has poor transit options and surrounded by suburban sprawl. A car is requisite to get not only around town but to do everyday things like buy groceries.
I live in NYC and when I told a Texas mom that I can work full-time in ofice because my kids can just walk to their piano lessons or take the subway to Lincoln Center for ballet class after school she was speechless. She is stuck chauffeuring until her kids get their own cars to add to their congestion.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 11:22     Subject: Re:Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Part of it is construction related to the Lexus lanes (express lanes) being added between Tyson's and the MD line.



Yes, that area of the Beltway is always crowded. It’s the construction and the bridge, even though there is no obvious place that lanes are blocked.


Construction zones have reduced speed limits, squiggly lanes, jersey walls, etc...combine that with the high-density of the area + being a major thoroughfare for traveling.


This is the best answer. Congestion, already present at times, has spread over more hours during the express lanes extension project. The "etc." above includes some temporary entrance configurations with no merge area. New lanes are supposed to open later this year, with construction complete the first part of next year.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2025 09:11     Subject: Why so much beltway traffic outside of rush hour?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Its a major east coast thru-way.


This. Picture I-95 running up and down the east coast. How does 95 go through DC? You either take 395/295 through or 495 around.


You take 495 through the poor part of Maryland to stay on 95.