Washington D.C. Travel Forum

I think I'd like to try my first driving vacation this summer. I've worked out all the numbers and it turns out in spite of fuel prices it's significantly cheaper for me to drive from Chicago to DC.
I plan on using the Metro when in DC so I need advice on finding a hotel with parking outside the downtown DC area but, perhaps, close to a metro/train stop for daily use in and out of downtown proper. If you have a specific suggestion- thanks. Otherwise website referrals are fine.
Also- if anyone here has made the Chicago/DC trip- where might you suggest making my "halfway there" overnight stop? I am the only driver for this trip and would rather not attempt a 10 hr drive in one day...ugh.
As always- thanks to the wonderfully pleasant and helpful people on VT.
embi

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/sub/

Welcome to my town! How long are you staying and what is your budget? What months? Lodging prices will depend on those factors. That is a pretty good estimate on the drive time. I just made a couple of trips to Detroit and it took me about 7 hours driving and I live just west of the city...a little beyond the closest metro stop. That said, you might want to look around the Vienna/Falls Church area (close to the metro of course). If not there, parts of Arlington are nice too. Make a search in those areas based on your budget and maybe I can give you some recommendations. As far as where to stop...again, that depends on your budget and what type of accommodation you are looking for. I would pick your estimated halfway point and use that to decide or figure out how many hours you intend to drive in a day and estimate where you will be. Personally, I would stay somewhere in Pennsylvania.

I was there last year for three weeks for work and stayed out in Chantilly at the Residence Inn. There were several nice places to stay out there and parking was free. The Vienna metro was a short distance away and if you avoid the commute hours it is a pretty quick drive. It does cost to park at the station, but it wasn't much.

I think there was a hotel on the north side of the station, but I always parked on the south side so I never looked at it.

I would suggest an hotel in Arlington - one NOT at a metro stop. Anything at a metro station is going to be really pricey. If you are not looking to spend your vacation luxuriating in your hotel room, you could get one on Glebe Rd or Columbia Pike for a lot less than you would pay elsewhere. Most should have a shuttle to the metro. I used to live in this area and it is very close to downtown DC.

Also, for your intermediate stop, may I suggest a night in Pittsburgh?

If you stay in Pittsburgh, I'd recommend using Priceline and bidding on one of the 4* properties there. I have stayed at them all and they are all true 4* accommodations. I have never paid more than $75 a night using Priceline. Try www.biddingfortravel.com for recent info on winning bids. Good luck!