How to Avoid Heavy Holiday Roadway Traffic at Reagan National Airport

Flying out of town for the holidays, picking up visitors at the airport or just hoping to avoid the traffic around the airport? Travelers using Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport this holiday season and residents should beware of possible roadway congestion associated with record volumes of travelers flying at the airport, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) announced Friday. Drivers on airport roadways experienced delays during the 2016 Thanksgiving travel rush, MWAA said. Airport officials urge the public to plan ahead and consider alternatives to driving when making plans to use Reagan National between Friday and Jan. 4, 2017.

Suggested strategies and alternatives from MWAA include:

• Riding Metrorail to and from the airport
• Using the second airport exit from the George Washington Memorial Parkway coming south from Washington, D.C. This route provides more direct access to Terminal A and Economy parking.
• Allowing extra travel time to reach terminals, lots and garages
• Avoiding airport roads if the airport is not your destination

Airport roadway congestion often peaks from 7 to 9 a.m. and again from 2 to 6 p.m., coinciding with local rush hours and the busiest movement of airline passengers, MWAA warned. Congestion often extends beyond these times on days immediately before and after major holidays.

Customers parking at Reagan National are advised to reserve parking in advance at flyreagan.com/epark and check parking availability on overhead signs or at flyreagan.com/parking.

Complete holiday travel guides customized to each airport are available at flyreagan.com and flydulles.com.

PHOTO of Reagan National Airport courtesy of MWAA