Rt. 17 and Rt. 3 Slug lines

I also intend to stay at Rt. 17 for the same reason. Interestly, though, I had the opposite experience at the Pentagon this week. I arrive there around 5:00pm and each day this week I saw no one in the Rt. 3 line during the approx. 10 mins. I stood there (Route 17 had 25-30 people and the cars came at a pretty good clip).

Just a note: I've slugged for years out of various lots (one yr. at Rt. 17) and the one element that is constant is that every year around this time, everything slacks off because of vacations, and every year we noticed a big jump in activity the day after Labor Day. Just something to keep in mind. I think it is way too early to assess the impact of Rt. 3 on Rt. 17. My guess is that Rt. 17 will not suffer. I've talked to various people who live south of Rt. 3 and prefer the 17 line because it is quicker access to I95. Also, houses are being built and sold down Rt. 17. I for one am not going to backtrack to Rt. 3 and I see no indication thus far that it will be necessary.
Now, I must say that I am one of those people that will not wait for a ride to a specific destination (I work at L'Enfant Plaza). If by the time I get to the front of the line, the next car is Pentagon or 14th Street, I'll take either destination and hop the Metro. Waiting a 1/2 hour or so for that "maybe" L'Enfant driver to come along or to go down to Rt. 3 for me , is a waste of time and far more trouble. My point being is that for those people who feel the same way, I have not seen a problem at Rt. 17 this week. If you are waiting for that specific ride, and it is not a common one like the Pentagon, that scenario is only going to happen at large lots (like Horner Rd.). Anyway, just some thoughts that hopefully will make you feel better.

Thanks for your comments...I'm the same way in fact...I too go to L'Enfant, but do not insist on waiting for that destination (out of fear that I would still be there come 8am)...I use a more interesting system...once I reach a point in line where I am able to take a Pentagon ride, I let 3-5 cars go as a countdown to the point in which I will finally give in and take a ride to the Pentagon instead of L'Enfant. I thrive on flexibility, but I really really really hate the new arrangement at Pentagon because, as you well know, if you walk to the metro, you have to contend with all the Pentagon employees that take up the entire sidewalk and exhibit the courtesy and grace as a herd of bulls. The architect for that new bus stop needs to be flogged...whoever it was did a poor job of calculating the need for sidewalk space.

Kevin O.

Kortegel: Hear! Hear! In the morning, the Pentagon employees take up the majority of the walk way on their way to the building, and in the evening they do the same; leaving the rest of us with barely a single line to dodge in and out of the entire way down the platform!

What has been the experience so far at 3? I went by yesterday morning a couple of minutes after 7:00, and there was no one there (neither drivers nor riders). I'm guessing that the crowds go in waves, like at 17. What appear to be the best times for the new lot?

Picking up at 7:00...I'm already at work and have eaten my Pop-Tart by then. I pick up around 5:20 and have had no problem in the mornings. In the evenings, I'm at the Pentagon around 4:00 and the longest I've had to wait is 5 minutes. I guess the early bird does catch the slug!