The Washingtom Belt Way

[KC2ESD]

Hello every one, yes I'm posting on Ragchew but its not political, its about driving. I am in 2 land for today and going back to 4 land for one more week. I have been on the Washington Beltway two Fridays in a row and I have to tell you all its the loop from hell. The traffic craws at walking speeds then stops on a highway with a speed limit of 55MPH. That was going clockwise from the Dulles Airport expressway to 95 North and took over an hour for that 14 mile segment. Yesterday the traffic was so jammed at the entrance to the innerloop from the Dulles Expressway I had to go onto the outerloop (Counter-Clockwise NASCAR style) and go the longway to 95 North. That way was jammed before the bridge the goes over the Potomic River at the loop's southern point. Then I was behind a 18 wheel truck when it stopped after going 5MPH. The traffic was going by me on both sides. I was thinking there was a accident ahead when I pulled around the truck and found out the truck hit a car as the car's driver tried to get in to traffic from a on ramp. Then the traffic moved at a faster pace ontil I got to 95 North then it was slow going again for about 3 miles then the pace picked up. I heard of stories of people going around the beltway TWO TIMES (2 laps for you NASCAR fans) because they could not move over to the exit lane because it was so jammed. Why on earth is the traffic so bad on the beltway even when there is no construction or accidents that it moves at 5MPH or less? Has it always been that way or is it just been a more recent problem? Post you Loop of Hell comments just keep the politics out of it please.

Rick KC2ESD Temp 2 land

[kc2orw]

When I was a little kid I remember that going Two Times problem happened to my father when we were on our way to Florida. That is 40 or more years ago so now you can see nothing has improved much since then. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N3ATS]

You're not aggressive enough Rick. You best be going at LEAST 80 and you need to forget everything you ever learned about courteous driving. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kc2orw]

Quote[/b] (N3ATS @ Sep. 22 2007,18:42)]You're not aggressive enough Rick. You best be going at LEAST 80 and you need to forget everything you ever learned about courteous driving. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I may be wrong but I thought he mentioned elsewhere that he drives a gasmiser vehicle. In which case he might not have stood a chance. Those trucks get going pretty good takes guts to get in front of them, especially if you are not driving a hotrod http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N3ATS]

Aw hell, it's not the size of the hammer. It's the pile-driven mo'fo' behind it. Even a Focus can compete on the beltway!

[w2amr]

Bush sucks. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[N3ATS]

You had to go and do it, didn't you? Where's that oar.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KI4PEQ]

Quote[/b] (w2amr @ Sep. 22 2007,18:19)]Bush sucks. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Put a sock in it, station. You've told us how you feel so many times you're making a royal a$$ of yourself.

[kc2orw]

Quote[/b] (N3ATS @ Sep. 22 2007,20:32)]You had to go and do it, didn't you? Where's that oar.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Well I thought you were going to make him a new avatar

[KW4MW]

Back to the Wash DC beltway after that brief political denouncement.

I used to drive that Hellish road quite frequently, thankfully that's over 15 years behind me. #However I'm not surprised to hear that things are about the same. #Notice I didn't say worse - it couldn't have got much worse. #

One thing though, once you've mastered Beltway traveling - any other traffic system is a snap. #

One hint - when I first began driving the beltway I'd put on my turn blinker to change lanes - that only caused the motorists in the other lane to speed up to keep me from coming over in front of them. #The correct method for lane changing on the beltway is to first look for a shiny brand new car, pace yourself slightly ahead of it, begin to shift into their lane and only then should you turn on the blinker. #It usually works every time, otherwise you can say "Honest Officer, I had my turn signal on". #

By the way Rick - anyway you can use the Metro instead? #It's a Heck of a lot easier then fighting the civil service motorcade.

[KC2ESD]

Were I go to school and stay is near the Dulles Airport, 15 miles out side the Beltway, I have to use the beltway to cross the Potomic river to enter Virginia. Again Please no Political bashing in this thread or I will have the voliator delt with via a Moderator.

[n2ize]

Quote[/b] (KI4PEQ @ Sep. 22 2007,17:36)]Quote[/b] (w2amr @ Sep. 22 2007,18:19)]Bush sucks. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Put a sock in it, station. You've told us how you feel so many times you're making a royal a$$ of yourself.
But perhaps AMR has a point ?

[n2ize]

This shows the inefficient highway system we have in this country. Roads are like this all over this country and in other parts of the world. Of course selling oil is more important than efficent transportation. So this is how roads will stay. The more time spend idling in traffic burning gas = the more money in some wealthy oil barons pocket.

[KC2ESD]

With out gas how would you do one lap of the Beltway? on batteries? I don't think the battery would make one lap around the loop of hell. BTW The beltway would make a good race course for NASCAR. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[W1GUH]

Oh, man, I'll avoid the beltway at any cost. #I took it coming back from Va on 2001, and it was a disaster. #Not only is the traffic as bad as reported, but there's always the "fun" of having the lane you're in suddenly become an "exit only" lane, and you've got to cut over two or three lanes to get into the "through traffic" lane. #And of course, once you're ove there there will inevetibly be anther such switch in to the other side soon.

To make matters worse, I was on it just after dark, and whatever they top that road with is shiny, and it gave the appearance of a very slick surface.

Man, never again!

If you're headed down 95 from NJ nothward, skip the beltway. Take th 78 to the 81, then cut back to the 95 south of D.C. #The extra miles are more than worth it to avoid the beltway.

Good to hear from you Rick!

[N3ATS]

Quote[/b] (KC2ESD @ Sep. 22 2007,20:50)]Again Please no Political bashing in this thread or I will have the voliator delt with via a Moderator.
SIR, YES SIR!

[kc2orw]

Quote[/b] (N3ATS @ Sep. 22 2007,20:18)]Aw hell, it's not the size of the hammer. It's the pile-driven mo'fo' behind it. Even a Focus can compete on the beltway!
So he drives like an old man so do I but I now use the Mr. Magoo technique and scare the pants off of them. If they look mad I just smile and try to look old and dopey, seems to work... Big deal so they flip you the bird... who got done what they needed to get done. Get old and you have to work smart not hard http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N7RJD]

Quote[/b] (KC2ESD @ Sep. 22 2007,11:50)]Again Please no Political bashing in this thread or I will have the voliator delt with via a Moderator.
It would probably be more effective to have the violator dealt with via a moderator.

See, no political bashing, just spell check bashing.

Oh, and it might be hard to get a moderator to do much about a political statement in a thread posted in Rag Chew where politics are listed on the menu.

[KC2ESD]

Quote[/b] ]Oh, and it might be hard to get a moderator to do much about a political statement in a thread posted in Rag Chew where politics are listed on the menu.

yea but I requested no Politics in this thread at the start and since I created the post It should partly run under my extra rules. The next one who breaks my rule with be Punished by doing one lap of the beltway in a Yugo. Now stick to the subject and behaive.

73 de Rick KC2ESD

[kc2orw]

Quote[/b] (KC2ESD @ Sep. 22 2007,23:54)]The next one who breaks my rule with be Punished by doing one lap of the beltway in a Yugo.
Do you think a Yugo could even do a lap on the Beltway http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[n7zsd]

Quote[/b] (KC2ESD @ Sep. 22 2007,19:03)]BTW The beltway would make a good race course for NASCAR. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Would that be the "Bush" series? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Ok, I'll go get my Yugo out of the garage...

[w2amr]

Quote[/b] (KC2ESD @ Sep. 22 2007,18:50)]Were I go to school and stay is near the Dulles Airport, 15 miles out side the Beltway, I have to use the beltway to cross the Potomic river to enter Virginia. Again Please no Political bashing in this thread or I will have the voliator delt with via a Moderator.
Cheney sucks too http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[w2amr]

Quote[/b] (KI4PEQ @ Sep. 22 2007,17:36)]Quote[/b] (w2amr @ Sep. 22 2007,18:19)]Bush sucks. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Put a sock in it, station. You've told us how you feel so many times you're making a royal a$$ of yourself.
Thanks so much for your thought provoking comments Richard, I will certainly take them into consideration.

[n2nh]

Quote[/b] (KC2ESD @ Sep. 22 2007,23:54)]The next one who breaks my rule with be Punished by doing one lap of the beltway in a Yugo.
Oh good a real car. Now I'll be able to tell people how good it was compared to the Chevy Vega.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[n2nh]

Seriously. I haven't been on it in years, but it probably has only gotten worse. It used to be that during the day, the Beltway wasn't too bad. It was at night on weekends that it became a nightmare. Next time you have to drive there, you might try the alternative of going through DC. It's shorter and if things are that bad, it's probably faster.

Just continue on I-66 cross the bridge into DC, go east on Constitution Ave to (left) 14th ST NW. Take that to (right) New York Ave and that will put you on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. When you get to Baltimore cross the tunnel or bridge (the tunnel's usually faster) and follow the signs to I-95. If I remember right, the Delaware State Troopers usually start using their radar on the Maryland side of the I-95 bridge into Delaware, so that's probably a good time to look at your speedometer. You'll know, all the traffic will be going 5MPH under the limit.

Good luck. Worked for me. Made it from Reston, VA to the Goethals Bridge in 3hrs 15m on a Sunday afternoon. Not that I'd try that again. I was just homesick that day.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[KC2ESD]

Quote[/b] ]Good luck. Worked for me. Made it from Reston, VA to the Goethals Bridge in 3hrs 15m on a Sunday afternoon. Not that I'd try that again.

How the heck were you able to do that run in that time? I'm 5 miles west of Reston and it took me 5 Hrs to get here from Atlantic City NJ. On the way home I'm going to go to Rt 50, go over the Bay Bridge in Annapolis MD then go up RT 301 to Wilmington DL, stop at HRO if time permits, then over the Del Mem Bridge to east 40 and home. If I get a raise when I go back to work, I'll trade the Focus in for a Stang. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

73 de Rick KC2ESD/4

[NL7W]

Yet another reason I live near Anchorage... it only takes me an average of 60 minutes to travel 55 miles into the City (because of the slower side streets), and that's when I need to go into town. Personally, I like my home office and telecommuting.

Wait for the population to go up another 50 to 100 million before we close our borders, then see how long it takes ya'all in the lesser-48 to get around.

Cheers.

[KW4MW]

One of the more heart tugging sights I ever saw occured one morning in suburban Maryland just outside the beltway. #

I was going to work earlier than usual, it was about 5 AM. #In the car next to me at a stoplight was a young couple with two sleepy toddlers in car seats, each with a bowl of cheerios (or fruit loops) in front of them. #The scenario was all too familiar to me, I had seen it too many times to not know what was going on. #

Mommy and Daddy both had very important and high paying jobs in the city (DC) and a very large mortgage in the burbs. #

So Mommy and Daddy on each weekday morning drag the poor kids out of their warm beds, plop them in car seats with a bowl of dry cereal and take them to a day care that opens by 5:30. #

Then leaving their young charges in the hands of comparative strangers they charge into the city at an early hour so that they can beat most of the traffic and pay outrageous rates at a parking garage close by their workplace.

That afternoon, they - like all the other lemmings, inch forward along the streets and the beltway in what can be best described as the worlds largest slowly moving parking lot. #

Finally, around 6 PM or so they fnally rescue the youngsters from the day care. #By this time both Mommy and Daddy are beat and the kids are cranky. #They drop by the nearest take out joint, go home, feed the kids Chef Boy Ar Dee while they munch on unhealthy takeout. #A quick bath for the kids, a quick shower for Mom and Dad and everyone in bed by 8:30 in order to do it all again the next day.

It's an existence but not a life.

[n3ixq]

It's tough ride anytime that's for sure. I do it twice a month from Philly to Richmond. I drove the motorcycle down last week and had a sphincter tightening moment getting through DC. Construction, lane narrowing, no one wanting to slow down.. But I love cruising the HOV lanes on the bike by myself...

It's all timing You are good to go from 10:15 until 2:15 other than that hold on tight!!

[NN3W]

Have you considered taking the Baltimore Beltway to Route 301 through Maryland? Bypasses the D.C. Beltway entirely.

[WA3KYY]

Quote[/b] (KW4MW @ Sep. 22 2007,21:06)]#It usually works every time, otherwise you can say "Honest Officer, I had my turn signal on". #
Since when does turning on your signal grant you right of way to move into an occupied lane? I have yet to drive in a state where the motor vehicle laws grant right of way when you turn on your signal. Just because you had your turn signal on does not mean you would not be charged with failure to yield right of way or for causing the accident.

[WA3KYY]

Rick, another option is US 15 through Leesburg to I-70 then east to the Baltimore Beltway to I-95N and home. I have a friend who lives in Frederick and worked right at Dulles and took the I-70/US-15 route every day.

[w3wn]

My boy just started a job with the Washington Nationals a few months back, and the short story is that he can deny everything that was said about the Beltway in Rick's original post.

According to him, most days, it's much, much worse than that... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[n2nh]

Quote[/b] (KC2ESD @ Sep. 23 2007,22:15)]Quote[/b] ]Good luck. Worked for me. Made it from Reston, VA to the Goethals Bridge in 3hrs 15m on a Sunday afternoon. Not that I'd try that again.

How the heck were you able to do that run in that time? I'm 5 miles west of Reston and it took me 5 Hrs to get here from Atlantic City NJ. On the way home I'm going to go to Rt 50, go over the Bay Bridge in Annapolis MD then go up RT 301 to Wilmington DL, stop at HRO if time permits, then over the Del Mem Bridge to east 40 and home. If I get a raise when I go back to work, I'll trade the Focus in for a Stang. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

73 de Rick KC2ESD/4
I was driving that crappy Vega I mentioned before but I have really good reflexes and great night vision. Averaged about 88 MPH over the distance (But not a tick over 55 in Delaware). NJ Turnpike was a bit dicey since it was the Sunday before Thanksgiving and there was a gusting crosswind of 40MPH. (Statute of limitations up on this one.) I took the same route that I gave you. A ex-Greyhound bus driver friend gave me the layout. Only 2 things I had to worry about on the way through DC. That the computer that ran the lights on NY Ave worked (it had been flaky). And that I hit all the lights just right (the last one changed early and I hit it on the yellow). Then it was smooth sailing for the next 240 miles (did get sideways a bit in the Baltimore tunnel http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif).

One thing, there is an interchange from NY Ave to the BW Pkway just outside of DC. Forgot about that one.

As they say on TV, do not try this at home. REALLY DON'T.

And nope, I wouldn't do it again. Unless...
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

The new 'stang is really nice. But for that kind of money, I'd look into a 6i (Mazda). Holds 5 and is about as fast.

[KC2ESD]

Well it's my last night in 4 land, I passed the one Final exam and have one more tommorrow. Then Its one 1/2 lap around the beltway, on to US Rt 50 then I'll be "east down and bound, loaded up and trucking" on my way home. One more thing, yesterday I shot a 50 cal Muzzelloader, a Revolutionary War Replica, I hit the target 9 out of 10 times and had a good grouping at 25 yards. I'll post the pic of the target when I get home since I left the USB cable there. I have to study now, 73 to all from Rick KC2ESD/4

[KW4MW]

Quote[/b] (WA3KYY @ Sep. 24 2007,15:27)]Quote[/b] (KW4MW @ Sep. 22 2007,21:06)]#It usually works every time, otherwise you can say "Honest Officer, I had my turn signal on". #
Since when does turning on your signal grant you right of way to move into an occupied lane? #I have yet to drive in a state where the motor vehicle laws grant right of way when you turn on your signal. #Just because you had your turn signal on does not mean you would not be charged with failure to yield right of way or for causing the accident.
It's humor son - get used to it - jeez watta taut sphincter http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kf6rdn]

2 words.

Get a motocircle!

Er 3 woords.

A Phast one!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif



PS - Libs suck

[AG3Y]

It's not just the Washington Beltway, it is the entire Balto-Washington-Fredereck and beyond highway system that totally SUCKS !

I used to work in Germantown, and made the commute every day from Hagerstown to Germantown. Distance, one way 45 miles. Time, one way 1.5 hours. Average speed on the commute - you do the math!

The most dangerous part of the whole commute was those last 5 miles into Hagerstown from the east. Cars come down South Mountain and just go faster and faster as they get to the bottom of the hill.

I was hit by a young lady that took her mind off her driving for just a few brief moments, lost control of her car, and regained it by striking me in the back bumper of my car at several miles an hour faster than I was driving, causing me to spin and flip over several times, totally demolishing my car, and almost killing me in the process.

Driving in Maryland is NO SUNDAYSCHOOL PICNIC, and I certainly do not envy those that are forced to make that trip day after day. I am only glad that it is over for me!

73, Jim

[KA3CTQ]

Quote[/b] (KC2ESD @ Sep. 22 2007,17:06)]Why on earth is the traffic so bad on the beltway even when there is no construction or accidents that it moves at 5MPH or less? Has it always been that way or is it just been a more recent problem?
Don't blame us. Those of us who live the area avoid the Beltway like the plague. We leave it for the passer-thru.

After traveling around the US, The DC Beltway is up there in some of my least favorite roads and areas to drive. There are some also as bad:

Atlanta
I 40 between Raleigh and Durham (The Research Triangle)
I 95 in CT (Actually, any part of I 95 from Maine to Petersburg, VA stinks.)
San Fran
Boston
Baltimore (Balmer) Beltway
Chicago in Winter
Orlando in Summer

I'm sure you all have more to add.

[KC2ESD]

Well I made it home in one piece. I left at 11:00am, went around the beltway on the inner loop, not bad at all. Went to Rt 50, over the Bay Bridge to 301. Made it to Delaware by 1:30pm. Went up RT 1 to RT13 then something made me stop for over an hour, its was.....

Ham Radio Outlet http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

There I bought the Extra study guide and 50 Ft of RG-213 coax to replace my RG-58 on my dual-band antenna. Then went over the Delaware Memorial Bridge, down RT 40 and home. I got home around 5:00pm. I hope its a long time before I go on the Loop of Hell again, it absolutly Sucked!!! I likes Northen Virginia and like talking to hams in 3, 4, and 8 lands. It was nice but I'm glad I'm home, I missed the Atlantic Ocean. I will post Pictures soon as I can get them off the camera and upload them on the internet.

73 de Rick KC2ESD back in 2 land