What is the best time of day to drive from DC to NYC?

If you want to avoid all traffic on both ends, then you have to leave in the middle of the night. If you leave DC by 2 AM, you can be in Manhattan by 6 AM. You will run into little to no traffic unless there is construction or accidents. Or otherwise, leave at 8 PM and get to Manhattan by Midnight.



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While mornings and afternoons are safer, there are some exceptions. Rush hour traffic, which typically runs from 8 AM to 10 AM in the morning, and then again from 4 PM to 7 PM in the evening, plays a part in safety too. With the influx of cars at these peak times, the roads become more dangerous.

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Night driving presents more hazards than driving during the day. Low light decreases visibility, headlight glare can be blinding, and drivers are more likely to be tired and slower to react. These factors make driving at night a challenge, leading to a higher risk of serious accidents.

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For the greatest number of accidents, purely by amount, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., is the least safe. Rush hour – and thus when more cars are on the road – falls within this time frame. However, if you evaluate accidents by percentage, the period from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. is the most dangerous.

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Although the convenience of a car is hard to beat, trains free you from the costs and hassles of urban parking. They usually deliver you straight to city centers. Train travel, with its spacious seats and room to get up and walk around, is more relaxing and comfortable and the view is usually better.

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