How to Beat High Gas Prices in Washington, DC

Whether you're a resident or just visiting Washington, DC for a week, you'll be facing the same high prices for gas if you opt to drive while you're in the area.

The Washington Post has some great suggestions for how to beat the high prices in the National Capital Area:

1. Take Metro: Although the DC area is geographically small, parking can be a nightmare regardless of the price of gas. Washington is a district of one-way streets and very limited parking. The most obvious solution to getting around is to take advantage of the Metropolitan Washington Area Transit Authority (Metro). You will find 86 Metro stations servicing a network of 106.3 miles. This includes 40 stations in DC, 26 in Maryland and 20 located in Virginia. All stations and trains are accessible to riders with disabilities, and you should see a train arriving every five to six minutes during peak commuting times.

Metro stations open between 5 and 7 a.m. on weekdays. They remain open until midnight from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can use them until 3 a.m. Regular fares in effect from 5 to 9:30 a.m., 3 to 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. to closing range from $1.65 to $4.50. They're definitely cheaper than driving. Metro also offers discounts for seniors, riders with disabilities and customers with a Medicare card and a valid photo ID.

If you're new to the DC area or just visiting, consider using a free online trip planner by plunking in your time, starting point and destination. This tool is available on the Metro web site.

You will also find daily or hourly parking at 42 Metro stations. Parking on these lots is free on Federal holidays and weekends. Check the web site for the most current cost of hourly and permit parking. You might also be able to leave a vehicle free any one of the many park-and-ride lots in the DC metropolitan area.