US-50 D.C. To I-81

okckeith

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I plan on riding US 50 from D.C. to almost St. Louis, Mo. I will be headed out from Bowie, Md. I plan on taking I-495 to I-66. My question is should I just stay on I-66 to I-81 to pick up US 50? Or is it worth picking up I-50 off of I-66. I plan on leaving Bowie, Md. around 9:00 am on Monday morning 6-10-19. I am not looking forward to the traffic even at that time.
I'll have two days to get to St. Louis. Then I will be headed north. I should have plenty of time to have a nice scenic ride. Looks like there should be plenty of options to find a room along the way. I will have my camping gear with me. But I hope to only use it later on my trip.
Any input would be appreciated.
 
From its origin in Ocean City MD out as far as South Riding, VA US 50 is not very good riding unless you do as Uncle Phil and cover it in the wee hours. Lots of sprawl, lights, and heavy traffic in the DC metro area . 9:00 on a Monday morning is not a good strategy, IMO.

I generally pick up 50 at or west of the big traffic circle exchange with US 15 (Gilbert's Corner); from 66 you can come north from The Plains and get onto 50 in Middleburg. It's very pleasant from there west.

Consider this alternative if you are amenable to toll roads: I95 north to MD200 west (toll, relatively light traffic. Check the policy on vehicles without toll transponders before committing to this.).

200 becomes I370 at I270; take that to where it ends at MD 119 (Great Seneca Highway).

Left onto 119, to the end at MD 28.

Right on 28 and follow to US 15 at Point of Rocks.

Left onto 15, stay with the bypass at Leesburg.

When you get to the US 50 traffic circle continue with your original plan.


This route avoids a lot of the traffic and gets you the hell off the Beltway a lot quicker. For me that's worth any added time.

If you elect to take this route, be sure to wave as you go past my place in Rockville. I'd happily escort you through (this being my local riding area, home court advantage and all that) except I'll be in NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway that day.
 
If you're coming in from the north, Snickersville Turnpike is a good short jaunt to pick up US 50 before heading to Middleburg. You'll come out just W of the aforementioned traffic circle at Gilbert's Corner. Harper's Ferry, Point of Rocks, or any other point W of Frederick MD is a good jumping off starting point to head south; you won't save time over 15, but 15 can be very heavy traffic N bound that time of day. Just a suggestion if you have the time and want to enjoy the scenery.

240134

On second thought, Bowie MD as a starting point is already pretty far S. 495 Express is toll free for motorcycles and is a more free flowing exit to 66W than the 270 turn the non-express lanes take. 66 W would be low traffic that time of morning, I'd get off on 50 as soon as you hit it from 66W and take it to Gilbert's Corner. It'll get you through town quick, but it's not nearly as nice of a ride as going around a longer way. From GC, 50W is a nice ride though.

66/495 is my daily commute from Exit 40/Hwy 15, unfortunately I know it all too well!
 
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I'd personally skip ahead to the other side of Winchester via 66. Depending on the time of day or night between Gilbert's Corner and Winchester there could be speed traps (a couple of the towns have low speed) or potential deer crossing. Of course you're going have deer all along 50!
 
Thank you very much for information! I think since I will be starting from very close to 50 and 495, I will just take the Beltway to 66. Then take probably 15 to 50. But I will certainly keep your suggestions Incase the weather is not favorable.
I have been on the Beltway on the ST during rush hour traffic before. I’m glad I don’t have to do that everyday.
 
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