Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I'm looking for anyone to help out me planning a trip to Rolling Thunder in Washington DC this May.

I've been down to it before, but only to watch. I'm looking to ride in this year as an experience and it's something I'm looking forward to.

I'll be heading down from the Lehigh Valley / Allentown area of Pennsylvania the Saturday before and am looking for an somewhat inexpensive place to stay that's not directly in DC but not a long ride to the Pentagon on Sunday morning. If anyone has experience with a good place to stay, please let me know. I'd like to get it booked asap because I know quite a few people that already have accommodations set.

Thanks in advance for assistance!
For those of you that aren't snowed in, ride safe!

 

I've been to Rolling Thunder nine times and I don't think you will find an inexpensive motel room within 75 miles of DC on Memorial Day weekend. I stayed south on Hiway 1 several times.....south of Alexandria....to save a few bucks, but it's not worth it......especially with all the traffic. Best to bite the bullet and stay a little closer in a nicer motel. Last time I stayed at the Holiday Inn in Fairfax on Arlington Blvd....very nice and not too expensive and a straight shot into DC on Constitution Ave. Hooters right across the street is a bonus.

 

Try checking out the web sites of the HD dealers in the DC area. Most have police escorted rides to the Pentagon for Rolling Thunder. Being south of DC, East Coast HD and Classic Iron (an Indy used scooter shop) sponsor a run from Dumfries, VA. Hotels down this way are moderately priced and plentiful.
Just a thought!

 

I live south east of the city about 30 miles, Waldorf, MD. The ride into the city for all of the events is a direct shot so can not get lost. Plenty of hotels and on the morning of rolling thunder All American HD is the sister to Ft Washington HD and we ride, police escort from the dealership to Ft Washington then escorted to the Pentagon. All American is a short ride from Waldorf.

 

This thread has some good info. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...g-thunder.html

I only know the VA side of the river so I can't comment about the MD side.
But basically - most of the 'local' HD dealers have something planned for that weekend.

 

Awesome info so far! Thanks guys for your input.

I did some searching and found some cheaper hotels in the College Park area of MD, Howard Johnson for $67 a night. Is that a decent area? Looked at a map and it doesn't seem like too much of a hassle to make it to the Pentagon. If anyone knows the best place to leave from that area the morning of, I'd appreciate it!

 

Not sure where the Howard Johnson is located, but College Park is where the University of Maryland's main campus is located so the area is decent. If you go east on 95 you could go to HD of Washington and join with the large group that rides in from there.

 

Avoid the Red Roof Innn in Oxon Hill Md at all costs ! We used to stay there and it was ok, however, the ****** and drug dealers seemed to have taken it over the last time we stayed there two years ago. Room was dirty and the beds sucked too. It's a shame because it was located very near Ft. Washington HD, lots of restaurants and was a straight shot into downtown. I'd probably look for something on the Virginia side.

One thing I would tell you is that if you don't do one of the escorted rides, either arrive early at the Pentagon, like 7:30 am or arrive late like 2:00 pm. Early and you are near the front of the line, late and alot of bikes are already gone. Take plenty of fluids and some snacks. Oh yeah, a blanket to lay on while waiting. PS..if the wife or gf won't pee in the woods, the lines for the port o johns can be one hour or more for the girls.

 

I'm new to riding, but live in MD. College Park wouldn't be my first choice - not far from DC,m but a PITA to get in and out of. Not a very attractive place either.

If you stay in MD, stay East of 95. From North of DC, plan on taking 295 Balt-Wash Pkwy in rather than 95. 95 make a big circle - where 295 is more straigth North-South and cuts closer to the heart of the city.

From the East, Route 50 comes from Annapolis and turns into New York Ave.

Not sure how far you think "far" is, but anything south of BWI Airport shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes to get to New York Ave on 295. Maybe a little more assuming traffic, but its not bad. There are several hotels around BWI - Comfort Suites, Springfield Suites, etc. that are not too expensive.

I don't know what they do, but the HOG chapter at Old Glory HD looks pretty active and I'd be shocked if they didn't have something big going on. The staff there are really great too.

Another alternative is Annapolis. Again, about 1/2 hour. Nice area, lots to do by the water and many hotels. I don't know much about Annapolis HD.

Hope this helps.

 

Copper...I am heading down there this year also..I am staying at hotel within 1 mile of the wall. $ 134 a night..go to hotels.com, priceline.com or hotwire.com...prices are not bad..Taken my father who is a vietnam vet with the 101st..I have been before and my father is actually ready to see the wall..He was a medic/doorgunner on dustoff so he has come to piece with the things that he has seen and ready to talk about his tour...See ya there.....