Advice needed for Wash. DC traffic

[5OUTTA6]

 I will be driving (cage) to the Rosslyn area of Arlington, VA  in April.
 I want to get there very early in the (0600) A.M.
 I will be coming south on 270 to 495.
 Which of these routes will be best:  270 to 495 to Geo. Washington Pkwy    or  495 to 267 to 66  ?
 Is there a better way in?
 Any info will be greatly appreciated.

[MacGyver]

 I will be driving (cage) to the Rosslyn area of Arlington, VA  in April.
 I want to get there very early in the (0600) A.M.
 I will be coming south on 270 to 495.
 Which of these routes will be best:  270 to 495 to Geo. Washington Pkwy    or  495 to 267 to 66  ?
 Is there a better way in?
 Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Just blow your brains out now....  

Try adjusting your arrival time to 4-5 am.  

There is no good route that involves the beltway.  I-66 is HOV-only for certain morning and PM hours IIRC.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Don't do the route to 66.  As already said 66 turns HOV from 495 to DC.  If it's six when you get here it shouldn't be TOO bad.  Coming in on the Parkway is not a bad way at all.  

[Scratch33]

Don't do the route to 66.  As already said 66 turns HOV from 495 to DC.  If it's six when you get here it shouldn't be TOO bad.  Coming in on the Parkway is not a bad way at all.  

^What he said.

[DrD]

One of the GW Pkwy exits to Rosslyn is closed in the morning.  I can't recall which one, or the hours.  

I believe around those times you shouldn't see TOO bad of traffic, with the exception of accident, roadwork, etc.

Welcome to the neighborhood.  

[dan88z]

If you are worried about the traffic, drive to the nearest Metro station and take that into Arlington.

[5OUTTA6]

If you are worried about the traffic, drive to the nearest Metro station and take that into Arlington.

Dropping car off at hotel and then taking metro into DC

[vulcanbill]

You should be OK if your arrival time is 6.  Even then, traffic will be plentiful but at least it will be moving.  You'll be on the road w/ mostly contractors in vans/pick ups w/ ladder racks and govvies who do the early shift.  There are a lot of both.  My rule of thumb was if you're not on 270 by 5:30, it's too late.  

495 is under heavy construction around that whole Tyson's area so even if you could take 66, I'd avoid having to travel that section, especially in the dark if you're not familiar with it.  Lots of changes underway and lane changes and shifts are not fun 5 lanes wide when you can't see.  Add rain and stir for real fun.  

Where on 270 is your starting point?

[hovmaven]

With that early arrival you'll be fine -- you can take GW or 66 (or 495 to Route 50, or Route 29 (Lee Highway)).  Now, heading home may be another issue. . ..  

I-66 HOV-2 (Two or More People)
Inside the Beltway
Both lanes are reserved for HOV-2 eastbound in the morning and westbound in the afternoon.

From: Capital Beltway (Interstate 495)
To: Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
Days: Monday - Friday

Eastbound: 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Westbound: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hov-novasched.asp#I-66HOV-2TwoorMorePeople