I-495

 Interstate 495 is an auxiliary interstate highway for I-95. The interstate loops around Washington, DC, giving itself the name of the "Capital Beltway".

Since this is a Virginia-based website, this post will only have the southwestern half of the beltway, as well as the tiny sliver of it in Washington, DC.

I-495 Shield

The Route Path:

I-495 enters Virginia over the Potomac River, in the northern part of the CDP of McLean. The interstate heads south, having an interchange with the west end of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Shortly after, I-495 has an exit for VA-193, followed by an interchange with VA-267 along the border of the CDP.

Entering Virginia on I-495.

I-495 at VA-267 Westbound.

Just after the interchange, the interstate enters the CDP of Tysons, and has an interchange with VA-123, followed by one with VA-7 along the CDP line, entering the eastern edge of Dunn Loring right after. Shortly after, I-495 reaches a huge interchange with I-66, entering the CDP of Merrifield.

Approaching VA-123 and VA-7.

Approaching I-66. Southbound I-495 doesn’t have an exit for East I-66, with travelers having to take VA-267 East to connect.

I-495 at its interchange with I-66.

After the interchange, the interstate passes under US 29, before having an interchange with US 50 as it enters the CDP of Annandale. I-495 continues south, before having an interchange with VA-236, followed by one with SR-620 as the interstate enters North Springfield. Here, I-495 curves southeast, before entering the CDP of Springfield. Right after entering Springfield, the interstate reaches a massive interchange with I-95 and I-395, known as "The Mixing Bowl", which the former continues east with I-495.

The interstates continue east, leaving Springfield and entering the northernmost part of Franconia. Here, I-495 and I-95 have an interchange with SR-613 (Van Dorn Street), before entering the CDP of Rose Hill. In the CDP, the interstates have an exit for Eisenhower Avenue, before running along the northern border of Rose Hill. Eventually, I-495 and I-95 have an interchange with VA-241 and SR-611, before entering the City of Alexandria as the lanes split into THRU and LOCAL.

The interstates curve southeast, before having an interchange with US 1, and continue east. Shortly after, I-495 and I-95 pass through Jones Point Park, before crossing the Potomac River, passing through the southern tip of the District of Columbia and entering the State of Maryland. Eventually, I-95 splits from the concurrency, and I-495 loops back around into Virginia, restarting the journey.

My Experiences:

I have been on I-495 multiple times, clinching the route on 8/13/23, and using it on 8/9/23, 4/21/24 and 8/24/24.

Exit List:

Exit Number	Route
Exit 43	George Washington Mem. Pkwy.
Exit 44	VA-193 (Georgetown Pike)
Exit 45	VA-267 (Dulles Access Rd.)
Exit 46	VA-123 (Chain Bridge Rd.)
Exit 47	VA-7 (Leesburg Pike)
Exit 49	I-66
Exit 50	US 50 (Arlington Blvd.)
Exit 51	SR-650 (Gallows Rd.)
Exit 52	VA-236 (Little River Tpk.)
Exit 54	SR-620 (Braddock Rd.)
Exit 57	North I-395/South I-95
Exit 173 (I-95)	SR-613 (Van Dorn St.)
Exit 174 (I-95)	Eisenhower Ave. Conn.
Exit 176 (I-95)	VA-241/South SR-611
Exit 177 (I-95)	US 1 (Richmond Hwy.)