Get There Archive: Getaway
Today's read: a holiday driving prediction
More driving this holiday season: That's what AAA predicts. The travel organization pointed to a longtime trend in which air travel continues to decline as a percentage of total Thanksgiving travel. Since 2000, the number of Americans traveling by air during the Thanksgiving weekend has dropped 62 percent. (Sholnn Freeman) I'm writing up some suggestions about the holiday getaway for drivers, to appear on Sunday's Commuter page in The Post, and I plan to post some blog entries combining the advice I get from travel experts and officials with the advice I've gotten from you. I collect the getaway advice you send to me at drgridlock@washpost.com, here on the blog and on our new discussion group, called Taken for a Ride. The holiday time drives get to be something of an obsession with me and my readers. I get inquiries all the time about best routes and best times to...
By
Robert Thomson
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November 19, 2009; 8:46 AM ET |
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Getaway
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holiday travel
| Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Today's Read
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Join discussion on getaway routes
Over on our new transportation forum, called Taken for a Ride, I'm asking for travelers to help me help other travelers. Please come over and offer your advice about alternatives to the main escape routes from Washington, the best times to travel and what drivers should look for along the way. On the long, winding holiday road again. I do this every fall: Collect advice from experienced travelers, combine it with my own recommendations and offer the combined wisdom here on the blog and on the Commuter page in The Post Metro section. See last year's edition here....
By
Robert Thomson
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November 17, 2009; 9:00 AM ET |
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Getaway
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holiday travel
| Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Taken for a Ride
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Talking Thanksgiving travel, 2009 edition
Each November, I pull together the most recent information from highway departments and from travelers into blog and newspaper advice for the holiday getaway. One of the questions that came in during our Monday online chat got me started on this year's edition. Silver Spring, Md.: "Too soon to ask about Thanksgiving? I'm headed, as always, for the Penn. Turnpike. Top of the Beltway to 270 to 70 to Breezewood. But here's the thing: 70 is a bear all the way to Hagerstown on getaway days. Don't know what the big deal is about Hagerstown (I used to think it was the Premium Outlets, but the traffic issue persists even when they must be closed), but there it is. So when, do you think, is the best time to split? It's a question of +/- going to work on Wednesday; if I do, I'll be set free a little early,...
By
Robert Thomson
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November 3, 2009; 11:52 AM ET |
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Categories:
Getaway
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holiday travel
| Tags: Dr. Gridlock
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Early Morning Chase Leads To Beltway Closure
A police chase beginning in Maryland early this morning ended in Virginia with Beltway closures and a traffic nightmare for morning commuters. The chase began in Montgomery County and moved onto I-495, taking the American Legion Bridge into Virginia. At some point the Maryland police reported that they terminated their pursuit, while Virginia State Police took up the the pursuit of the car heading south on I-495. The Virginia State Police followed the black Mercury Mountaineer, which rammed state police vehicles at least two times, spokeswoman Corinne Geller said in a news release. The car was brought to a stop heading south on I-495 just south of Braddock Road. This resulted in a closure of I-495 lanes and a big traffic backup as rush hour began. All southbound lanes reopened by 7:12 a.m., the state police reported. The driver of the vehicle was Andre Tyrone Washington, 24, of Fayetteville, N.C.,...
By
Mark Berman
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October 14, 2009; 10:42 AM ET |
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Congestion
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Events
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Getaway
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Getaway: Leave Early For Eastern Shore
It will be busy on the roads out there this weekend, with Sunfest at Ocean City and NASCAR races at Dover Speedway. These are the best bet travel times for the Bay Bridge: -- Friday before noon and after 10 p.m. -- Saturday before 7 a.m. and between 5 and 10 p.m. -- Sunday between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. and after 7 p.m. Call 877-BAYSPAN (877-229-7726) for the latest traffic conditions on the bridge or use this link to view live traffic cameras....
By
Robert Thomson
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September 24, 2009; 8:00 PM ET |
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Advisories
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Driving
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Events
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Getaway
| Tags: Bay Bridge, Dr. Gridlock, Eastern Shore
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Heavy Weekend Traffic Likely at Bay Bridge
This will be the weekend for Sunfest in Ocean City and NASCAR races at Dover Speedway in Delaware. So the Maryland Transportation Authority, which operates the state's toll bridges, is advising drivers to expect lots of company on the Bay Bridge from Thursday through Sunday. The authority says it will monitor traffic conditions throughout the weekend and if the weather conditions permit, allow two-way traffic on the westbound span to help alleviate potential eastbound delays. When traveling west on the bridge, slow down for steel plates and use caution during two-way operations. Turn on your headlights. During normal operations, the speed limit on the westbound span is 45 mph. During two-way operations, the speed limit is 40. You can call 877-BAYSPAN (877-229-7726) for the latest traffic conditions on the bridge or use this link to view live traffic cameras at the bridge. There's also statewide traffic information here. These are...
By
Robert Thomson
|
September 23, 2009; 9:10 AM ET |
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Categories:
Congestion
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Driving
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Events
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Getaway
| Tags: Dr. Gridlock, NASCAR, Ocean city, Sunfest
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