For DC/MD/VA as a whole - pay attention!! We have a lot of aggressive local drivers who don't necessarily pay attention to the road as they should. Top this off with a plethora of tourists or business folks traveling from out of town... needless to say, it can get extremely chaotic on our roads in general!

Honestly not sure. My husband and I haven't purchased a car in a decade. Even then, they were used vehicles.

I was born and raised in the "DMV." This refers to DC/MD/VA. I was born in DC, raised in MD (right outside of the city), and moved to VA once married. Since then, my little family & I have moved within the northern VA area a few times. With that being said, I would say a 'driving highlight' is when I truly realized the beauty of VA. At the time, we were living in Alexandria, VA. I have always loved more of a city environment. I knew that VA had plenty of country/rural areas, but I didn't know how close! A few months into our lives and careers in Alexandria, I accepted a position out in Herndon, VA - about 30 miles away, give or take. I had not been out to that area of VA since I was little. I was in awe on my first drive out when I had a fabulous, clear view of the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance. Needless to say, we moved out to the Herndon area shortly after I accepted the position. Since then we've slowly moved further and further out towards those mountains, and gained a better and better view.

Rte 9. It is the perfect scenic balance as you near the border to WV. Small, quaint towns, rolling hills and valleys, and of course the mountains. The road is only two lanes, which does not allow the driver a terrible amount of time to enjoy the scenery. However, driving this road is simply peaceful. This entire route's stretch is absolutely glorious in the fall when the color has hit its peak!

Map your route in any way possible! Take everything into account. Simply know the roads, areas, etc. It may make a huge difference when a last minute accident or random occurrence pops up. The more studying of the roads you do outside of rush hour, the better equipped you will be for rush hour.

Comfort and gas mileage is ideal! I don't think the purchase place really has a lot of baring... Just make sure you do your research to ensure that you're not being taken advantage of in general. And that the car is a good purchase overall. Year, mileage, mpg, etc.

I live closer to Leesburg, VA, however the city I selected is the closest-- one that I travel through frequently [trying to avoid toll road on the way to/from family, friends, etc.]. I truly can't say I have a favorite memory driving the streets within the DC Metro area in general. I was born in downtown DC, raised right outside of the city in Ft Washington MD, and now live [with my husband & young son] in Lansdowne, VA. I semi-recently left a job in Fairfax VA (approx 17 miles, 45+ mins) to work 90% remotely, though my office is located in Gaithersburg, MD (40 miles, approx 2 hrs commute/one way). I've also commuted from Ft Washington MD to Alexandria VA (approx 7 miles, yet over 1 1/2 hr commute, at the time) and also to Tysons Corner VA, for much much longer commute. I've really seen all sides of the DC Metro Area commute. Again, I say, I don't truly have a favorite "memory." I would say the weather/appearance alone is the only enjoyable/favorable memory. Specifically looking back, the deluge of snow in the winter storm of 2009/2010 was gorgeous! Majority of the time, work was closed due to the weather. But when the roads were drivable, and we got back into the swing of things, the scenery was truly beautiful! I try to take back roads, whenever possible (now as well as since the beginning of my working tenure in life) to at least enjoy the surroundings vs. the pain and "ugliness" of highways/freeways.

Route 15. Driving from Lansdowne//Leesburg VA to Rockville/Gaithersburg VA is a HUGE pain. Taking route 15 actually adds on about 14 miles to my commute (vs. taking route 7/267 to 495 to 270). However, it is a more consistent 1 1/2 hrs (one way) vs. 2+ hrs inconsistently. Route 15 is a beautiful 2 lane (1 each way) highway cutting through the vineyards that Loudoun County is famous for. I drive briefly through "mountains" and valleys locally, as well as pass by farmlands before entering the Montgomery County area in MD.