Car Rental Washington DC

With its broad, grand avenues and numerous landmarks, driving around Washington DC is a memorable experience. The city has three airports, with most international arrivals touching down at Dulles Airport. Take Route 267 and the Interstate 66 (I-66) to be in the heart of the city in less than an hour.

The states of Virginia and Maryland sandwich and encircle the city, which sits within its own federal district, while the Potomac River runs along its western boundary. You may have heard the word ‘Beltway’ in use when describing US politics – that refers to the Capital Beltway, the I-495 that runs around the outside of Washington. The other main interstate here is the I-395, which is only 13 miles long and runs below the National Mall, leading south-west over the Potomac towards Virginia.

As you might expect, rush hour traffic can be busy in the centre of Washington DC, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Some of the main streets in town, such as Rock Creek Parkway, operate as one-way routes at peak times.

When driving in the US, you’ll need to wear a seatbelt while use of a cell phone when driving is illegal. In much of the country, you can make a right turn at an intersection even when the light is red – there’ll be a sign to say so if you can’t.

The top speed limit in Washington DC is 55mph (88km/h) for interstate highways. This drops to 25mph (40km/h) on all other roads unless stated otherwise, such as in narrow alleys or outside schools.

If you’re planning on any day or road trips, you can access most of the main interstates just outside of DC. The I-95 is to the city’s north-east, and will take you to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and beyond, while it also runs south-west to Richmond, Savannah and on into Florida.

There’s a feel to Washington DC that you don’t get in many American cities – that it’s been custom-built to show off its statues, monuments and history. You can people-watch as lawmakers go about running the country, explore the captivating sites of US history or travel round taking in all the family fun activities on offer.  

The National Mall

The National Mall is the centre of attention in this town. It’s where you’ll find The Lincoln Memorial sitting among classical columns with the Gettysburg Address etched into stone next to it. The same designer is also responsible for the Reflecting Pool that sits in front of the Memorial, with just short of seven million gallons of water in it. Take a second to pause on the steps – the same ones where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his timeless ‘I have a dream’ speech.

Further up, you’ll find the iconic Washington Monument - some 555 feet tall and with an observation deck more than worth the line to get to the top. Reserve in advance to speed up your visit. Elsewhere, there’s the remarkable Vietnam Veterans Memorial, conceived and made by Maya Lin when she was just 21.

Museums galore

Also on the National Mall is the Smithsonian Institution, a huge complex that takes in 17 museums. The National Air and Space Museum might just be the pick of them - housing a Wright Brothers plane as well as planes belonging to Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes. There’s an IMAX theatre, exhibits on space travel and interactive elements that all age groups will embrace.

The nearby National Gallery of Art has a collection spanning two buildings and a diverse range of schools and styles. This is where you can see Fra Angelico’s The Adoration of the Magi, pieces by Raphael, da Vinci, Van Eyck, Rembrandt, Titian, El Greco and Manet, as well as one of van Gogh’s most notable self-portraits. There’s great Pop Art, meaning you can whisk through the history of art in one day.

The Smithsonian has something for everyone – with a zoo, Natural History Museum and the brilliant National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Seats of power

No visit to Washington DC is complete without seeing where decisions that shape the world are made. Head to Capitol Hill to witness Congress drafts the laws that govern the US – there’s a visitor center and guided tours. Again, reserve in advance online to beat the lines.

Visiting the White House is trickier, although you can get a good view of the outside of the President’s residence even if you can’t get in. To get on one of the rare tours, speak to the Canadian embassy in DC.

Washington DC car rental is the perfect way to navigate this fascinating city of memorials, museums and more.