World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Washington, DC  - Road
Road

Visitors must possess a full national driving licence to drive in America. The traffic drives on the right and technically overtaking should only be done on the inside lane, although, in reality, cars on a five-lane highway regularly pass on both sides. At traffic lights right turns on red are permitted if it is clear. At crossroads without traffic lights, the four-way stop system means that it is first come first served for right of way. Seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers. Freeway driving speeds are 88-113kph (55-70mph). The speed limit on all roads within the DC area is 40km (25mph). The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.10%.

The American Automobile Association (AAA; tel: (800) 222 1333) can provide information, and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown service:
AAA (800) AAA HELP or 222 4357

Routes to the city:
I-66 heads west into Virginia; I-50 to Annapolis in Maryland; I-95 to Baltimore, Richmond Philadelphia and New York; and I-270 to Maryland and beyond.

Driving times to Washington, DC: from Baltimore - 50 minutes; Richmond - 2 hours; New York - 4 hours 40 minutes.

Coach services:
Greyhound long-distance buses operate from the Greyhound bus terminal at 1005 First Street, NE (tel: (202) 289 5120; website: www.greyhound.com). Facilities in the station are limited, with food outlets and a gift shop selling snacks, newspapers etc. Peter Pan Trailways (tel: (800) 343 9999, toll free USA and Canada only) also connects Washington, DC with many cities throughout America. The service operates from the same bus terminal.



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
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