is MacArthur the best route to 495/Cabin John area?

[wheelswings]

Hi my friends. I have a meeting on MacArthur Blvd just east of its intersection with 495. This is in the mysterious and intimidating foreign territory of Maryland. How do I get there from Virginia?

My thought is to take the Custis to Key Bridge, then the Capital Crescent to the steps near Macomb (that much is easy), then take the side street (Potomac Ave) to Norton, then get onto MacArthur Blvd and ride on the shoulder for several miles ‘til I get near 495. Is that what people do, or is there a safer option?

Many thanks!! w&w

Topic

[TwoWheelsDC]

Personally, I usually just take M/Canal to Foxhall to MacArthur and ride MacArthur all the way out. In DC, it’s two lanes and low traffic, so you can take the right lane without too much stress…further out you can ride the shoulder. The short stint on Canal may be intimidating if you aren’t super comfortable riding in traffic, but there is a sidewalk you can take if you prefer.

[ginacico]

@wheels&wings 187497 wrote:

Is that what people do, or is there a safer option?

I used to live at MacArthur and Sangamore Road. You can stay on the CCT just past the tunnel, then climb a side trail up to Sangamore. Get onto MacArthur at that traffic light, and from there on out you can ride the bike trail adjacent to MacArthur. (The trail is so-so, feel free to take the lane wherever you feel like it’s appropriate.)

[wheelswings]

Awesome – thank you TwoWheelsDC and ginacico! Gina, if I stay on the CCT past the tunnel, will the side trail to Sangamore be on my left? And then MacArthur will be on my left from there? Sorry…geographically illiterate, here. Thanks!!

[Steve O]

@wheels&wings 187510 wrote:

Awesome – thank you TwoWheelsDC and ginacico! Gina, if I stay on the CCT past the tunnel, will the side trail to Sangamore be on my left? And then MacArthur will be on my left from there? Sorry…geographically illiterate, here. Thanks!!

Correct. The tunnel goes under MacArthur – that’s why it’s there. Before the tunnel MacArthur is on your right; after, it’s on your left.

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[Steve O]

When I go out MacArthur, I take Chain Bridge to the C&O.
Then I take the C&O about a mile to the first lock, up the corkscrew and through the little neighborhood to MacArthur.
That’s the corkscrew where I hid Hobbes.
It cuts about 5 miles off going to Key Bridge and back out.
https://strava.app.link/KP9yXz1anU

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[scoot]

@Steve O 187524 wrote:

@wheels&wings 187510 wrote:

Awesome – thank you TwoWheelsDC and ginacico! Gina, if I stay on the CCT past the tunnel, will the side trail to Sangamore be on my left? And then MacArthur will be on my left from there? Sorry…geographically illiterate, here. Thanks!!

Correct. The tunnel goes under MacArthur – that’s why it’s there. Before the tunnel MacArthur is on your right; after, it’s on your left.

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Slight clarification. The MacArthur/Sangamore intersection is located to your left after you go through the tunnel. But if it’s the side trail I’m thinking of, you access it by first turning to the right and then looping around under CCT.

[Author]

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