I am considering making this ride from Indiana to DC. I need some input on protocol, lodging, routes, activities, etc.
Any help is appreciated.

 

The official web site for the 2016 run http://rollingthunderrun.com/RunInfo

Pentagon lots open at 7 AM and first motorcycles roll out about noon. Expect to spend several hours waiting in the parking lots.

The local Harley dealers have organized, police escorted groups coming in to the Pentagon. Dealers have open house activities on that Saturday. The HOG pin stop is at the HD of Washington dealer.

Lodging will be less expensive the further outside the DC beltway that you stay.

 

We go every year with the Rolling Thunder group here locally in NC.

It is a wonderful time! Try and get there at least two days early. There is a lot going on at every Harley dealer in a 75 miles radius. Then there is the sight seeing and the vendors set up near the mall.

The parking lot opens earlier than 7am. We ride in with the Rolling Thunder group at 6am. I have riden in on our on at 6:30am. The first 10 to 12 rows are reserved for Rolling Thunder members. Then they start lining up all others. They park bikes fender to fender with only enough room left to right to walk.

You will want to arrive at the Penagon parking lot EARLY trust me! As mentioned the parade starts at 12 noon. It you are there at 7am you will roll out usually by 1pm. If you don't arrive until 10am you will sit there till 3pm with 10,000 bikes ahead of you.

At the end of the parade you will want to park with others on the back side of the mall near the Wall. There is a big concert that is worth attending.

Stay anywhere in the area you want. We have stayed at Crystal City and Tyson's Corner. In the morning you will hook up with dozens of bikes riding in to stage.

It is a wonderful experience! Very layed back all around. Just come to enjoy the area and be a part of this awesome experience.

Get there EARLY on Memorial Day. You will be glad you did, trust me.

Program all the HD dealerships in your GPS. It is a party at all of the especially HD of D.C.

 

Seems we stayed in Fairfax VA. Met up at 0600 at Patriot HD and we're escorted into the Pentagon. We rode out couple days early and did scouting. I think the rooms were reasonable and good. Plan on long hours of standing and waiting. We met at 0600, rode to Pentagon at 0900, parked at 1000, RT started at noon. We were in second parking lot and left at 230pm! 15 minutes later we were looking to get out of town!
Do as much cheaper king as possible. Contact the HD dealers around DCand see what they offer. The crowds are huge. But the experience is worth it!

 

Thanks for the replies. I am seriously considering this ride. I'm not sure I can get days off to sightsee like I'd want. It would be 600 miles out and spend a day then 600 miles home.

 

Or consider joining Run For The Wall.

They stage right behind the Rolling Thunder leadership teams.

 

Try & stay in the Crystal City area of Arlington. Close to a lot of things & great activities. Great trip. You will enjoy it.

 

I did RT a couple of years ago. Great experience. I rode in with Quantico HD. Good advice already posted. Patriot HD have had bands, etc the day before. I have also been to HD of Washington the day before, not a lot happening there then. Like one previous poster mentioned , I got out of town at the end of the ride. Wish I had stayed for the concert. Great experience and I would like to do it again. If you can find some shade at the Pentagon, hold on to it. I took drinkd and sandwiches, but they have vendors there as well.

 

+1 on the shade. That's why we bring our own and just stay in parking lot. Trailer makes it great to be able to bring all that stuff if you can swing it.

 

I live near DC, go just about every other year. Great patriotic experience. Its also hot, crowded and sometimes dangerous because of reckless cagers.