Washington DC by RV from Atlanta: The Smithsonian, the Monuments, and the National Mall
Distance from Atlanta: 640 miles. Drive time: approximately 10 hours via I-85 N and I-95 N.
Washington DC is one of the most visited cities in the world, and for international visitors it carries a particular weight — this is the capital of the country you've flown across an ocean to see. The Smithsonian Institution alone is worth the trip: 19 museums and galleries, all free, all within walking distance of each other on the National Mall. Add the monuments, the history, and the architecture, and you have a destination that rewards several days of exploration.
It's a long drive from Atlanta — plan it as a multi-day trip, not a day trip. The reward is worth it.
The Drive
The most direct route is I-85 North from Atlanta to Charlotte, NC, then I-95 North through Richmond, VA to Washington. The total distance is about 640 miles. Most people break this into two days, stopping overnight somewhere in North Carolina or Virginia.
Recommended overnight stop: Raleigh, NC (about 4 hours from Atlanta) has several good RV parks and is a pleasant city for an evening. Alternatively, Richmond, VA (about 7 hours from Atlanta) puts you within 2 hours of DC for the final leg.
Driving in DC: Washington has a grid street system overlaid with diagonal avenues, which can be confusing at first. The city has limited RV parking — plan to park at your campground and use the Metro (subway) to get into the city. The Metro is excellent and runs to most major attractions.
Where to Camp
Camping near Washington DC requires some planning — the city is surrounded by suburbs, and RV parks close to the centre are limited.
Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland is the closest full-service RV resort to Washington DC — about 10 miles from the National Mall. It has a pool, store, and shuttle service to the Metro. Book well in advance, especially in spring and summer.
Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, Virginia is a quieter option about 20 miles south of DC on the Potomac River. Full hookups, good facilities, and easy Metro access from the nearby Franconia-Springfield station.
Greenbelt Park is a National Park Service campground in Greenbelt, Maryland — basic facilities but very affordable, and about 12 miles from the Mall. No hookups, but a generator-friendly option for those who don't need shore power.
What to Do
The National Mall is the heart of Washington and should be your first stop. The Mall is a 3-kilometre-long park stretching from the Lincoln Memorial at the west end to the US Capitol at the east, flanked on both sides by Smithsonian museums. Plan to spend at least two full days here.
The Smithsonian museums are all free and all extraordinary. The National Air and Space Museum is the most visited museum in the United States — the Wright Brothers' Flyer, the Apollo 11 command module, and a full-size Space Shuttle are among the highlights. The National Museum of Natural History has the Hope Diamond. The National Museum of American History covers everything from the original Star-Spangled Banner to Julia Child's kitchen. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of the most powerful museum experiences in the world — book timed entry passes well in advance.
The monuments are best seen at night when they're lit up. The Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial are all within walking distance of each other at the west end of the Mall. The Washington Monument is undergoing periodic maintenance — check ahead for access.
The US Capitol can be toured for free with advance reservations through your country's embassy or directly through the Capitol Visitor Center. The Library of Congress, directly behind the Capitol, is one of the most beautiful buildings in America and is open to the public.
Georgetown is a historic neighbourhood about 2 miles west of the Mall — cobblestone streets, Federal-era architecture, excellent restaurants, and the C&O Canal towpath for walking or cycling.
Arlington National Cemetery is across the Potomac River in Virginia, accessible by Metro. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy gravesites, and the Iwo Jima Memorial are all here. For British, Australian, and Canadian visitors, the cemetery has particular resonance — the graves of Allied servicemen and women are among those interred here.
Suggested 5-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Atlanta to Raleigh or Richmond. Overnight at campground.
Day 2: Drive to DC. Check into campground. Evening walk around the monuments.
Day 3: National Mall — Air and Space Museum in the morning, Natural History or American History in the afternoon. Capitol Hill in the evening.
Day 4: Georgetown in the morning. Arlington National Cemetery in the afternoon. Dinner in Adams Morgan or Dupont Circle.
Day 5: African American History and Culture Museum (book timed entry in advance). Drive south to begin the return to Atlanta, or continue to another destination.
Practical Notes
Metro: The Washington Metro is clean, safe, and efficient. Buy a SmarTrip card at any station — it's cheaper than single-ride tickets and works across the whole system. The Blue, Orange, and Silver lines serve most major attractions.
Timed entry passes: Several Smithsonian museums now require free timed entry passes during peak season (spring and summer). Book these at si.edu before you travel.
Weather: Washington DC has four distinct seasons. Spring (April–May) is beautiful — the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are world-famous and bloom in late March to early April. Summer is hot and humid. Fall (September–November) is excellent. Winter is cold but manageable, and crowds are much smaller.
Budget: Almost everything on the National Mall is free. Budget for meals, Metro fares, and any ticketed attractions (the International Spy Museum and Newseum are popular paid options). Washington is not a cheap city for restaurants, but there are good options at every price point.
Booking Your RV
Pick up from our Cumming location (5410 Chattahoochee Ind Park, Cumming, GA 30041) or McDonough location (324 Industrial Blvd, McDonough, GA 30253). Book at scamperrv.com/rentals [blocked] or call 833-SCAMPER (833-722-6737). 3-night minimum applies.
Washington DC is a trip that stays with you. Give it at least 3–4 days in the city itself — the Smithsonian alone could fill a week.