10 Congested highways to make you lose your mind tonight

by Tom Johansmeyer on

We know that today and tomorrow, traffic is going to be brutal. With 42 million people traveling for the holiday – and 94 percent of them going by car – it’s inevitable that someone’s going to wind up frustrated. Throw in some nasty weather and highway construction, not to mention a handful of screaming kids, and you have a formula for misery.

Can it get any worse? The Weather Channel thinks so. Not every holiday driving experience is equally miserable: in fact, there are 10 spots where you’re extra likely to lose your mind. So, let’s take a peek at the 10 most congested roads in the country, according to The Weather Channel:


1. New York City to Washington, DC: I-95
This is going to suck. You have a lot of people in New York City and a lot in Washington, DC. There are also a lot in between … and so many of them will be getting behind the wheel. To make matters worse, The Weather Channel notes, “Bad weather is not uncommon along this corridor during Thanksgiving week.” Not enough abuse for you? The company adds, “Some experts estimate that this 225-mile trek is the slowest stretch of highway nationwide during the holiday season.”

2. Boston: Westbound Massachusetts Turnpike from Downtown Boston to I-84
At first glance, I wondered why the New York-to-DC stretch didn’t include Boston. I grew up there and spent many a Thanksgiving Eve sitting in the back seat not moving on the Mass Pike en route to I-84. It’s awful, and The Weather Channel’s comment, “it has been known to come to a virtual standstill,” is not an exaggeration.

3. Chicago: Borman Expressway I-80/I-94, the Tri-State Tollway
The Weather Channel calls this “the trifecta of traffic tie-ups,” because three roads with heavy traffic intersect. The big rigs that use these highways make it even worse. Good luck if this is your route for Thanksgiving.

4. New York City: Throgs Neck Bridge, Whitestone Bridge
Yeah, the Big Apple makes a second appearance on this list. There’s a reason why I’m staying put on the Upper West Side this year. If you’re looking to get from the city out to Long Island or up to Connecticut, don’t be fooled by this “key choke point,” as The Weather Channel describes it: built to “help relieve traffic on the adjacent Whitestone Bridge,” the Throgs Neck has now become a nightmare in its own right.

5. San Francisco: Eastbound I-80 to Sacramento and Tahoe
Are you among the masses dashing out of San Fancisco for Thanksgiving? If you’re looking to get an early feel for winter … well, you’ll quickly realize you weren’t the only person with this idea.

6. Atlanta: I-285 between I-75 and I-85 … in Both Directions
Six major interstates cut through Atlanta, and I-285 is the busiest of them, thanks to two million daily drivers. Throw in the extra traffic for the holidays, and you can expect to see this southern city from under an overpass or across the median. Build a few extra playlists if you’re driving this stretch of road.

7. Washington, DC: I-495 from Merrifield, VA to Landover, MD
Like New York, DC makes The Weather Channel’s list of congested roads twice. The Beltway, which is only 30 miles long, can take two hours on a normal day. Now, add angry, confused or simply stupid holiday travelers … and wait for hilarity to ensue.

8. Dallas: I-35
Are you among the 3.5 million people who will make I-35 a pain this holiday season? Drive with the windows down, maybe you’ll get the chance to make a new friend while you wait … and wait … and wait.

9. Detroit: Northbound Where US-23 and I-75 Merge
Near Flint, you’ll find plenty of people at this spot who are looking to go north for the winter. Blame the “cabin owners, resort seekers and deer hunters.”

10. Miami: The Palmetto Expressway (Near Miami Airport)
The Weather Channel calls this “one of the most heavily traveled roads in the Miami area,” and you can expect it to get backed up from Okeechobee Road to south of the Dolphin Expressway. If you’re either flying in or picking up someone who is, leave a bottle of Advil on the dashboard: you’ll need it.

[photo by FontFont via Flickr]

Desperate TSA looking for new colleagues at gas stations – promises free X-Ray vision and benefits

by Scott Carmichael on

After advertising on pizza boxes, the TSA at Reagan National Airport have now resorted to advertising at D.C. area gas stations. In their ad for part time security officers, they promise a career where “x-ray vision and federal benefits come standard”. Perhaps I’m overreacting, but using x-ray screening equipment as a job perk seems rather tacky.

I’m also surprised that four months after the pizza box ads, the TSA is still having a hard time filling positions in a country where unemployment is such a hot issue.

On the official government jobs site, 100’s of positions are listed with the TSA – but the entry level position of Transportation Security Officer is listed at $29,131.00 – $43,697.00 /year – and that starting salary may have something to do with the trouble finding enough candidates. Still, if you are out of work and you fit the requirements, the TSA would love you to come and help them enjoy their x-ray perk!

Great Washington D.C. Bars

by McLean Robbins on
This is a weekend of celebration. Between rallying, marching, running and Halloweening, you’re hopefully going to find time to explore one of Gadling’s other favorite pastimes … drinking. But don’t just wander into the first pub you find – take our word for it and sample these great Washington D.C. bars and lounges.
We’ve offered both the expensive and the dive, with alternative suggestions for each … after all, it was hard to stop talking about one of our favorite subjects.

Sure, you’ve read about it in Bon Appétit and GQ, but this is one bar that lives up to the media hype. Part speakeasy, part dive bar, you’ll find made-to-order craft cocktails and a small bites menu featuring innovative items like a kimchi hot dog. Bonus – they’re hosting the official Happy Hour of the Colbert rally from 3 – 7 PM on Saturday, with cocktails like the Screaming Eagle, Tea Bagger and Fear Monger.
If you like this, you’ll also love… D.C.’s other great speakeasy, The Gibson, or the restaurant/bar next door, (to Gibson), Marvin.
The cuisine? Latin Asian fusion. The ambiance? Straight outta NYC cool. The cocktails? To die for. Savor small plates and creative libations at this tequila bar and restaurant, offering more than 100 varieties of the famed spirit, plus beer, wine and sake.
Love Latin flair and cool cocktails, but want something a bit more bar-like? How about H Street Country Club, featuring D.C.’s only indoor putt-putt course.
Order a pot of moules frites and peruse the beer book (it’s huge) at this downtown restaurant and bar. A strong competitor for the city’s best beer list, Brasserie Beck draws crowds night after night for its mixture of great food (acclaimed by magazines like Esquire, you don’t have to take our word for it) and their impressively-titled “Beer Knight,” a beer expert who actually received a title for his knowledge of the brew.
If it’s beer you’re after, Logan Circle’s Churchkey also tops our list.

Love vodka? Who doesn’t – it’s perhaps America’s most popular cocktail spirit. Venture into this Dupont Circle bar and lounge for a sip or shot. You might even catch a Capitals player or two – Alex Ovechkin has been known to hang out here.
Care for another cocktail … and at this point you don’t care what type of vodka you’re getting? Head to Adams Morgan, where bars like Tom Tom are heavy on the fun and low on the pretension.

Care to have a quintessential D.C. experience? Search no further than this intimate bar and scotch lounge in the Willard Hotel. Offering an “old boys club” atmosphere, Round Robin is a great place to play “spot the Senator” while feeling like you’re sipping in a dose of history. Impress your cocktail partners with this fun fact: Walt Whitman and Mark Twain both drank here!
Prefer something a bit more low-key? How about Bourbon, offering a similarly great lineup of cocktails but a more laid-back ambiance.

P.O.V.
Perhaps D.C.’s most hyped-up bar, P.O.V. at the W Hotel gets points for both creative cocktails and an amazing view – overlooking the White House lawn and most of D.C. Savor hot or cold beverages (they’ll even bring you a blanket if you get cold). Just beware – you’ll probably need to make a reservation to get up to the roof this weekend.
Like the vibe but hate the line? Savor similarly cool cocktails and ambiance at Mie n Yu in Georgetown.

Ten great Washington D.C. restaurants

by McLean Robbins on
All that political activism (or running, as the case may be) is making you hungry. But since traditional “best” lists focus almost exclusively on the expensive, we thought we’d provide a more rounded-out list of a few of our favorite Washington D.C. restaurants, striving for variety in both location, type and price point. If we’ve left off your favorite, leave it in the comments, below – and stay tuned for tomorrow’s list of bars and nightlife destinations.
New Favorite:
Looking for a place to carb-load pre marathon? Search no further. D.C.’s largest restaurant stormed into town earlier this fall to much fanfare – the New York-based chain offers generous (and delicious) family-sized portions of classic Italian favorites like spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant parmesan and tiramisu. Be sure to come with a group – each entrée serves three to four hungry adults!
Old Standbys:
With two locations (Chinatown and Capitol Hill), this local go-to dishes out wood-fired pizzas, to-die-for mini burgers and a selection of classic American faves for lunch and dinner daily (plus a great weekend brunch). They don’t take reservations, but try your luck and you’ll find an affordable and delicious dining experience.
Opt for the Georgetown or Chinatown outpost of this DC staple, which serves up classic American fare that’s filling, delicious, and affordable. Sample chicken n’ waffles for brunch, or fuel up for a night on the town with a burger and fries.
Quick & Casual:
Stalk this Brooklyn-based lobster truck on Twitter (@lobstertruckdc) for their daily location. Then, prepare to wait in line for fresh hunks of lobster meat packed Maine (with mayo and lemon) or Connecticut (with butter) style into a toasted, buttered bun. This delicious treat rolled into DC just a few months ago but has already found a loyal following among locals.
Good Stuff Eatery
When the First Lady dines here, you know it’s worth the hype. Chef Spike Mendelsohn (of Top Chef fame) has turned out a Capitol Hill burger joint that allows even us average Joes and Janes to sample his goods. Don’t miss the house-made milkshakes (the marshmallow is amazing). If you’re more of an Italian lover, head next door to his second shop, We, The Pizza, for delish by-the-slice options.
Late Night Nosh:
Everyone from the lowest intern to the President of the United States has stood in line for the famous ‘dogs of U Street staple Ben’s Chili Bowl’s. Try the half-smokes, DC’s famous grilled meat that tastes like a cross between a hot dog and a polish sausage. Cover it with chili, onions, or cheese, and of course – opt for a side of fries.
For years, D.C. lacked the deli culture that could be found in abundance in other major cities. Taylor Gourmet not only rectified the situation – they created a phenomenon, shipping in their breads daily from Philly and crafting hoagies and subs named after streets in their hometown area. Snag one of their delicious sandwiches until 3:00a.m. most weekend nights.
Bottomless Brunch:
Fuel up with a little hair of the dog after a long night of rallying. Our top pick? Beacon Bar & Grill, where you can enjoy unlimited Bloody Marys, Champagne and mimosas, plus a brunch buffet featuring both savory and sweet options.
Sweet Tooth:
The line usually wraps ’round the block for customers lined up to sample the sweet treats of Georgetown Cupcake, made even more famous since the shop’s debut on the TLC show “DC Cupcakes.” Flavors rotate daily, but you can expect favorites like Chocolate Lava Fudge, Red Velvet and Vanilla Birthday to be on the menu often.
Boasting the distinction of being D.C.’s only “chocolate restaurant,” those with a serious sweet tooth should search no further for a decadent treat. Offering both to-go and sit-down options, you can sample a selection of desserts or opt for a tasting menu that features chocolate in every course.

Luxury hotel planned for Washington DC’s ‘nightlife’ neighborhood

by Melanie Nayer on

The Adams Morgan neighborhood in Washington DC is mostly known for its lively nightlife, late-night bars and endless take-out restaurants, but plans to add a little luxury to the ‘hood are in the works.

Washington Post reporter Jonathan O’Connell reports that plans for a luxury hotel in the trendy neighborhood have been in the works for the past six years. Developer Brian Friedman proposed transforming a historic church, formerly the First Church of Christ, Scientist, into a 174-room luxury hotel, according to the paper. While financing and development details are being worked out, one aspect of the hotel seems to moving along: the design.

Reports say Friedman signed with visionary hotel designer Ian Schrager to help turn the church from goth to glam. Schrager is behind the works of notable living spaces including Gramercy Park Hotel and the residential building 40 Bond in New York City. Shrager also works closely with Marriott for the Edition collection, which currently has plans for hotels in Waikiki, Istanbul, Barcelona, Mexico City, Bangkok, South Beach and soon, Adams Morgan.

Marriott’s Edition brand is focused on bringing the boutique hotel atmosphere to luxury travelers, and the new Adams Morgan hotel would be part of that plan. Friedman told the paper the hotel would offer “something a little more interesting” for guests.

[Photo credit/ Flickr user ultraclay]