Virginia

Express Lanes Open on I-395

Interstate 395 is the latest to open Express Lanes in the D.C. region.

Carpool lanes on I-395 in Fairfax County up to the Potomac River boundary with D.C. converted Sunday night to Express Lanes.

The lanes had previously been reserved for carpools of three people or more during rush hour. Now, solo drivers will be able to use the lanes if they pay a toll that will vary depending on the amount of traffic.

Transportation officials said drivers should take caution during Monday's commute. 

What to Know

Drivers will need an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex to use the lanes. HOV-3+ carpools are free with an E-ZPass Flex set to "HOV ON." Most non-HOV drivers will pay about $8 to use the lanes, but could pay more than $20 depending on the demand, according to transportation officials. It got as expensive as $15.65 to go from the Beltway to the D.C. line Monday.

Entrances for the I-395 Express Lanes include the exits at Edsall Road, Seminary Road, Shirlington and near the Pentagon. See more information here.

Note that there are now two exit ramps to get to Eads Street to access the Pentagon or Pentagon City. For the Pentagon, keep left. For Pentagon City, keep right.

What If I End Up in the Lanes by Mistake?

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You should never stop or back up on the Express Lanes, officials said. Anyone who accidentally ends up in the lanes should continue to their destination and then call the Express Lanes team at 855-495-XPRS (9777). Fees will be waived for drivers who make a mistake during the first week the lanes are open. 

Wait, I Thought We Already Had These?

Express lanes already are in place in Northern Virginia on parts of the Capital Beltway, Interstate 95 and Interstate 66.

Virginia had wanted to convert the I-395 lanes years ago, but Arlington County objected on environmental grounds and fears it would discourage carpooling.

The project for the I-395 Express Lanes cost $475 million.

CORRECTION (Nov. 18, 2019, 6:22 a.m.): An earlier version of this story said the lanes went from Arlington County to the D.C. line.

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