Despite the traffic and aggressive drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, don't be afraid to go slow and take your time. Concentrate on your surroundings. If you can, avoid traffic circles because they can be confusing. That's easier said than done. Numbered streets run north and south, lettered streets run east and west, and streets named after US states run at diagonals (SE, SW, NE, NW). Numbered streets all get reset at the US Capitol, meaning going north of the Capitol it starts from 1 and goes up. Going south of the Capitol it also starts at 1 and goes up.

The suburbs is generally where people go to purchase cars. I only specifically know of many dealerships in the Virginia side. It goes without saying but do plenty of homework on the internet, checking prices and models, before venturing in to a dealership where they tend to oversell you.

My favorite memory of driving in Washington DC is, generally speaking, back from my teens and very early twenties. After a long night of dancing at the clubs in DC it was always nice to step out of the club, away from the booming sounds of dance music, and into my car on a relaxing drive back home with friends as my passengers. There was little to no traffic on the way home and, during the summers, it was great to have the windows open during the drive.

George Washington Memorial Parkway. Traffic gets really bad on the parkway but, when it's not congested, it's a very scenic drive that follows the Potomac River on the Virginia side. The road is tree lined with various scene spots that one could stop on to admire the views. The road frequently curves along with the landscape. It's particularly nice during autumn as the leaves are changing color.

Plan extra driving time into your itinerary if you are going on a weekday. During the week, driving in D.C. Is a very slow-going affair. You are actually better off taking Metro on the weekdays, because your commute will only be nominally shorter should you take your car. Even walking is faster than the stop and go traffic around the Mall, Dupont Circle, Chinatown, and White House.

Many of the city's inhabitants go out to the suburbs to shop or hang out because there is simply more out there. You will probably want something fuel efficient and not too large. Having a compact car or even a standard size sedan comes in handy when you want to squeeze into a lane or into a tight parking spot on the street.

My favorite memory from driving in D.C. Is driving along the George Washington Parkway with my friends to see "The Book of Mormon" at the Kennedy Center. This is a beautiful, wooded stretch of highway that leads you into D.C. From the suburbs. On the weekends, it is generally pretty easy driving as there aren't as many cars on the road. You can enjoy the sights of the woods and the Potomac River along the side. You eventually cross the bridge into Georgetown, which is a tony, historical section of D.C. Drivers are very polite here. I remember having to change lanes, and the car behind my motioned me to go ahead. That almost never happens anywhere else.

Connecticut Avenue. This road will take you from the Maryland suburbs through some of the best places in D.C., Including Cleveland Park and the Uptown cinema, the National Zoo, Dupont Circle, and into the heart of the governmental district.