If you re arriving by car, study a good map in advance, for no interstate highway runs completely through the city. That usually means at least a short trip on the crowded Capital Beltway to connect to another route to downtown. Traffic is a major problem and increasing. Parking on most downtown streets is banned during rush hours, and meters are strictly enforced at all times.
Parking garages are abundant but expensive downtown.
Elsewhere, lots and garages are scarce, and on-street parking in neighborhoods is restricted to two hours if you don t have a residential permit. The easiest way to get to the Mall, home of most major sights, is via the area s modern and efficient Metro subway system. Once there, visit attractions by foot or by shuttle. I-66 and the Dulles Access Road. BWI is more convenient to most Maryland suburbs than either National or Dulles.