OT: Going to Fairfax, VA---Have Questions

[JerseyHarold]

We're planning to take our son for a look at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA in a few days and I have a couple of questions about the area.

I plan to come down I-95 from NJ and arrive at the school in the mid to late morning timeframe. I've heard DC traffic can be bad during rush hour. What time does it usually subside? Are there any road construction issues to worry about? Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced motel and resturants in the area? Areas to stay away from?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

Harold

[oldmopar]

Hopefully someone who knows the area will jump in but at the end of the NJ Turnpike there is a road I think its 13 or something like that it bypasses dc and goes over the Chesapeake bay to Virgina.

I use to travel this going to Norfolk back when I was in the Navy. It was a easy drive but that was about 38 years ago.

[greg g]

All I know is I truely dislike I 95 where ever it is. America's largest concentration of self important, distracted, morons.

If you son has mobile technology that he can take in the car plug this in

http://www.i95exitguide.com/traffic/washington.php

[Joe Flanagan]

Harold,

I live in Alexandria, right next to Fairfax. You will be arriving at a good time. Morning rush hour is pretty much over by 9 to 9:30. There is construction around the Woodrow Wilson Bridge going over the Potomac but I don't think it's slowing anything down. Just bear in mind that it doesn't take much to foul everything up. Someone on the side of the road fixing a flat will back traffic up for miles sometimes. You don't want to be near DC before 9 to 9:30.

As far as restaurants and hotels go, they're pretty much the same as everywhere else. There's loads of them around George Mason. You shouldn't have trouble finding an economy chain or something that's not terribly expensive. They have the usual: Red Roof, Holiday Inn, etc. Same goes for restaurants. Probably the same selection and price range as where you live.

[greg g]

Good excuse for a couple of forumites to meet ad have a cup of coffee or a cold one.

[Joe Flanagan]

Harold, when are you coming down?

[JerseyHarold]

Joe,

We're planning to come down on Thursday. We just have to finalize the tour time and make a room reservation. Mapquest is quoting about 4 hours door-to-door, so if we leave between 6 and 6:30 AM we should get to DC just after rush hour.

New Jersey schools are closed this time every year because of 'Teacher Conventions'...a quaint tradition here in the Garden State. That translates into a four day weekend for students and teachers. I've always taken those days off so we can do 'family' things.

I'll let you know where we're staying once we get it figured out. Maybe we can get together.

Greg,

Very interesting website. We don't have mobile internet, but I may copy some rest-stop info from the site so we can plan our stops a little more intelligently.

[Joe Flanagan]

there is a road I think its 13 or something like that it bypasses dc and goes over the Chesapeake bay to Virgina.

I use to travel this going to Norfolk back when I was in the Navy. It was a easy drive but that was about 38 years ago.

Oldmopar,

Rte. 13 is still an easy drive. Quiet tidewater country but economically depressed. Lots of big chicken farms down there. What a stink. I think they used to grow a lot of tobacco down there, but they don't anymore. My brother has a place down at the far end of the Virginia peninsula. I call it "Stinky Creek."

Harold,

As it turns out, we're going to be out of town from the 4th to the 14th. But as I said, I think you're timing your trip right. You can avoid rush hour but not the distracted, self-important morons that Greg referred to. Good luck.