495 Loop DC

You could take 301, but it can be just as slow at times. Then you'll have to deal with the king George scale.

 

If you're coming from 95 south, take the east side, less traffic, much faster, and I believe it's about 7 miles shorter.

 

Your going to have to suck it up either way, but Razorwyr is correct, east is almost always faster.

 

I've ran through there several times, it's usually always slower than 495. I've personally never been stopped at either side of the scale there, but I've heard some stories that they can be very picky when they wanna be

 

Course there are a few unlisted truck stops out that way as well. The one north of the scale is pretty decent

 

King George isn't so bad, but the Upper Marlboro scales in MD will make you pucker. Take Branch Ave rt 5 off 495 to 301 to skip that one. They train cadets there and I avoid it like the plague.

 

There is no "easy way" lol! I've lived here my whole life and I always go across the W.W. on the east side unless there is a big wreck. Tune your radio to WTOP fm 103.5. for traffic updates. I avoid the west side because of the S curves. People have a hard time getting thru there. And like was said above you can go 301 but there are a lot of red lights and always. .. ALWAYS avoid the scale in Upper Marlboro! The ones in Dahlgren before the 301 bridge aren't bad but if anything happens on that bridge you're stuck. The East side is actually a little bit longer but to me it's worth it. I've never picked up 301 off of 295. I usually go up to the 104 and take that to the right and then pickup 301 North. Just take it easy up thru there the bears are known to work that area.

 

As people mentioned before ALWAYS take 495 towards Alexandria either way you go from North or South. Reason?
Well less interstate junction , west side have 4 major jungctions ,airport and pretty high hills, which will slow you down if you heavy Where Alexandria have only draw bridge (never seen in been in raised position), and it have more options to bypass traffic (thx to express lane).
And if you run out of time you can take 301, there is a few options were you can fuel and park for your 10.