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Author
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Topic: Tips for road trip to see space shuttle Discovery
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BMckay
Member Posts: 3218
From: MA, USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 06-04-2013 12:08 PM
   
I will be driving at night from the Boston area to Washington, DC to see space shuttle Discovery. I would like to stop in the New Jersey area around midnight and stay overnight. Any suggestions about where to stay that night, what to avoid when driving from Boston to DC? Any help? |
Fra Mauro
Member Posts: 1586
From: Bethpage, N.Y.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 06-04-2013 01:21 PM
Avoid driving through Manhattan!! |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 06-04-2013 07:25 PM
First and foremost — avoid hitting the DC region during rush hours! Try to hit in here on a weekend, or between 10 am and 2 pm on a weekday. Same advice for heading back out! You will likely be coming down I-95 into the DC area. You will probably do best by taking the infamous DC Beltway (I-495) west to the Dulles Toll Road (Virginia Hwy 267). Once on the Toll Road, follow the signs to Udvar-Hazy (they will have you exit onto Va Hwy 28, Sully Road, and then several miles south to the museum, again, the signs will guide you). The toll road will cost you a couple-three bucks each way, but will be a lot simpler than trying the other routes to Udvar-Hazy! Enjoy! |
drjeffbang
Member Posts: 110
From: Virginia
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 06-04-2013 08:08 PM
DC traffic is lighter on weekends but the Udvar-Hazy is busier on weekends.Make sure you allow yourself an entire day to see the museum! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-04-2013 08:19 PM
Are you committed to driving? Between tolls, gas, parking and hotel stay, could taking Amtrak be an option? If you took an overnight train from Boston to DC, then a combination of Metrorail/Metrobus and taxi or Virginia Regional Transit bus, it could be another option (I haven't priced it out, though). You'd then miss the traffic, be able to sleep on the way to DC and have the option of visiting the National Mall building as well (by Metro) if for some reason you run out of things to do at the Udvar-Hazy (though that shouldn't really be a problem). |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-04-2013 08:39 PM
I've found Amtrak to be pricey depending on what time one travels (and I do Trenton-Union Station.) Granted, I'm talking from NJ, but tolls to and from DC are in the neighborhood of $20-25, and I once made it almost round trip on a tank of gas. All in all, sometimes it is cheaper for me to drive to DC than taking Amtrak. |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 224
From: Riner, Virginia USA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 06-04-2013 08:49 PM
There are several hotels just outside of Chantilly that are within minutes of Udvar Hazy. That is what I did last year and had no serious issues with traffic. However, be aware of times as others mentioned in this post. If you decide to go into D.C. to the National Mall (Highly Recommended) I agree with Robert, take the D.C. Metro. It is the best option.You will enjoy Discovery and everything else on display. Plan on spending the entire day there, you will not want to leave. Have a safe trip! |
BMckay
Member Posts: 3218
From: MA, USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 06-04-2013 09:02 PM
Thanks so far. I am heading down to DC with my wife and two sons and also plan on Mt Vernon and Monticello so a car is in order. I figure I will travel till 11pm or so and get past NYC and stay overnight in or around Trenton, NJ. The do the rest the next day. We will hop the Metro for the two days in DC. Any suggestions for a place to stay off of 95? |
drjeffbang
Member Posts: 110
From: Virginia
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 06-05-2013 09:06 PM
That will be a great trip.My wife and I live 30 minutes from Monticello (we're overdue for another visit). If you're looking for more Founding Fathers, James Madison's Monpelier is 30 minutes north of Monticello and is a wonderful visit. Enjoy your visit to Virginia!
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