• Aerial view of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in the fall

    George Washington

    Memorial Parkway DC, MD, VA

Traffic & Travel Tips

The Parkway is a narrow and winding road with a speed limit that varies between 25 and 50 miles per hour. Do not exceed posted speed limits. There are many forested areas near the roadway, so please watch for deer, wild turkeys and other small animals on the roadway, especially at dawn and dusk.

Rush hour traffic can be very heavy during weekdays. Try to plan to visit during off-peak times. Rush hour lasts from approximately 6 am to 9:30 am and 3 pm to 7 pm. Traffic is usually lighter on the weekends.

Be aware of bridge heights on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Some bridges are too low for trucks to pass under.

 
Car at stop sign beneath low bridge at Fort Hunt
NPS

Did You Know?

Lock 1 of the Patowmack Canal

Great Falls Park is the northernmost site of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. One of the nation's first canals can be seen here. More...