Planing trip to NY and Washington DC area

rburgoss · 10-03-2008, 08:35 AM

My wife and I are planning a trip to NY, sometime by mid February next year. I know it will be cold and probably still snow covered. We are planning to drive to DC area for a short visit (couple of days).

Our concerns are: How long is the drive? How about weather conditions for such drive?

Anyone here cares to shed some info on this?

Robert B.

CycloneBandDad · 10-03-2008, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by rburgoss

My wife and I are planning a trip to NY, sometime by mid February next year. I know it will be cold and probably still snow covered. We are planning to drive to DC area for a short visit (couple of days).

Our concerns are: How long is the drive? How about weather conditions for such drive?

Anyone here cares to shed some info on this?

Robert B.

Google Maps shows it as a bit over 200 miles from New Yawk City to DC, about 4 hours (though I bet it takes longer as you're going thru a heavily populated urban corridor... And traffic will suck!)

Weather could be anything from dry to rain to snow at that time of year. Be prepared is the best advice

Jim (in Nebraska, but I have visited that part of the country enough...)

rburgoss · 10-03-2008, 09:29 AM

Thank you. Indeed I ckecked google maps and directions, and it claims about a 4 hr. drive. I would be happy if its 6 hrs. About weather, well, its a lottery. I just hope there is not much hazzle with snow. Really don't care about rain (unless it freezes).

RB

tybeck · 10-03-2008, 12:30 PM

4-6 hours is a good estimate for traveling from NYC to DC. In the worst case it could take longer. One time it took me 6 hours to get from Phildelphia to NYC, a drive that should only take 2-3. As for weather cold and snow will be your trouble makers. The good news is unless you get something like a blizzard, i.e. tons (>6-10 in) fast and hard the roads are usually pretty clear. If there is an issue wait a few hours and most likely the major roads will be safe and clear. Usual rules and expectations for rush hour (4:30-7ish) apply around both cities.

Personally I really don't like that peticular drive and take the train whenever I can.

Lowell Goudge · 10-03-2008, 12:33 PM

What about taking the train.

the car will cost you a ton of money to park in NY.

The train lets you sit and relax

rburgoss · 10-03-2008, 02:34 PM

Thanks to both tybeck and Lowel Goudge. I know about rush hours, but should not be a concern in our case, since our plane arrives to NY around 1:30 am and by the time we pick the rental car, we will be on the road pretty much before the rush starts. We will probably arrive to DC around 8 or 9 am, considering a couple of stops. On our way back, we plan to arrive NY before sundown (rush).

About the train, I did checked and train fares are around $288 (for both of us). That is around the same as the car rental fare for the three days. Of course, in NY we will return the car and manage ourselves by metro or cab.

All the numbers and possibilities have been studied by now. The only thing remaining is the weather for those days.

Thanks guys.

Robert B

*bigben91682* · 10-05-2008, 07:33 AM

don't forget the most important stop when in NYC.

The B&H Photo Video New York Super Store

rburgoss · 10-06-2008, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by bigben91682

don't forget the most important stop when in NYC.

The B&H Photo Video New York Super Store

Went there on my last trip. Unbelievable mayhem but yes, its a must!

RB

jmdeegan · 10-12-2008, 10:16 PM

i am with everyone else on the acela recommendation. i work in NYC and have traveled a few times to DC, and i wouldnt even think of driving anymore (when i was younger.....). its just super convenient, easy etc etc etc

not to mention union station in DC has some really nice architecture to shoot, IMHO. and getting a cab from there to any part of dc is neither hard nor expensive.

weather will be hard to gauge. Late februarys, could be snowy, could just be cold, or could be getting an early spring. I think I remember late februarys going all over the place, this past was pretty mild all things considered.

rt22306 · 11-15-2008, 05:21 PM

Not sure if you considered this in your trip planning, but the roads from NYC to Baltimore are toll roads. There and back you should probably estimate about $50. Parking in DC can be problematic unless you find a garage, which I think is $25 a day. The suggestion of taking AMTRAK to Union Station, and then using the local Metro system (day passes for the weekend or after rush hour daily is something like $10) is a good one. Union Station is a good base to launch from, as the Capitol and Supreme Court are about four blocks from it, and several museums and galleries, National Archives, and an arboretum are within about 8 blocks (a few of them are a bit long though...). Weather then, usually about 45
degrees F. during the day, about 20 at night. We usually get most of our snowfall in February and early March.

NaClH2O · 11-22-2008, 08:56 AM

I live in NYC and have close family in DC and have both driven and taken Amtrack down. Depending from what part of NYC you are leaving from and what part of DC you are going to, and at what time of day you are traveling, a drive will take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours considering 'normal' traffic for that time of day. From my place in northern Bronx (close to highways) to my sisters house in suburban VA takes about 4 hours if I leave the Bronx before 5AM. Significantly more if I leave later. Generally speaking car is both a bit cheaper and slightly quicker (again major traffic problems excluded) than the train. If you are visiting someone I'd suggest taking a car. If you are going as a tourist and staying in a hotel/motel once you hit DC, I'd suggest the train. DC has an excellent public transportation system and parking in downtown DC is problematic and expensive.
Out of the norm places to see in NYC
New York Botanical gardens (the orchid show might be on while you are there...not to be missed)
If it is nice, (and there can be many nice days in Feb in NYC) check out Washing Sq for break dancers and other "performance artists" can be a fun afternoon
If you like books, check out the Strand (NYC's largest second hand book store) at Broadway and 12th. In the same neighborhood is the Barnes and Noble's NYC flagship store at the top of Union Sq (Broadway and 17th)
If you are into things nautical check out the South St. Seaport just south of the Brooklyn Bridge. The BB itself is a great walk if the weather is nice.

NaCl(NYC is a pretty neat place---even to live in)H2O

rburgoss · 11-22-2008, 09:30 AM

Thanks salty. We have our trip well organized by now. We are arriving JFK (Feb 20) at around 1:30 am and renting the car right there. Drive to DC directy, which means we will be out of NYC well before the rush starts. The hotel in DC is located near Silver Spring (north of DC). We are planning several stops probably around Philadelphia and Baltimore, since check in time at hotel is 3 pm, so that will give us plenty of time for sightseeing and wandering around.

On our way back (Feb 23, Monday) to NY, we plan to leave around 9 am (after rush) and make a couple of stops on the way (lunch, etc) and play to arrive NYC after 7 pm. Car rentual return is just one block away from our hotel in NY (upper west) where we stayed last March and liked very much.

Our only concern about this whole thing is weather conditions during those days, since this year, along those same days, there were heavy snowfalls and strong blizzards, which no doubt will mess up our plans.

About things to do in NYC, we have plenty of plans and places to visit, which we could not see on our last trip. Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

Robert B.

JLK · 11-25-2008, 08:14 PM

Remember to shop at Fairway, they got all kind off nice fresh food.
Address Broadway and 74th street. Next to you car rental place, maybe across the street where you got you hotel.

rburgoss · 11-27-2008, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the tip. Our hotel in NY is at 94th (rental return at 95th). But anyway, we will try to stop by sometime.

MRRiley · 12-01-2008, 10:51 AM

btw Robert... 9am on a Monday morning is the HEIGHT of the rush hour here in the DC area. If you are heading away from DC at that time you will probably be OK, but if ANY of your escape from DC involves driving toward DC, leave much earlier... 7am at the latest. Only problem with this is then you catch the rush hour in Baltimore...