gablaze23
If I have my interview on campus at 3PM, do you all think it's safe to book a flight at 9PM the same day leaving Dulles Airport? I have enough time, right?
If you leave Charlottesville by 5:00 PM you should be fine. Realistically, you could probably leave a little later, but you don't want to push it. There's a modest amount of traffic getting out of Cville, but it thins out after Ruckersville. From there, it's pretty clear sailing until you hit Gainesville where you connect with I-64, which leads you toward Dulles. Once on 64, you're going toward DC instead of out of it so it's a reverse commute that isn't all that bad. Of course, all it takes is a couple of wrecks and then it slows to a glacial pace. You just need to factor in that you're dropping a car. Security at Dulles isn't that bad, but could be better.
Follow up question: On the way to Charlottesville, are there any toll fees and whatnot?
When you rent a car they always ask whether you want the e-toll gadget. I know some highways/roads in the US do not have toll booths all together and require these gadgets. Please don't think I am a control freak, it's just that I paid almost $300 in toll fee penalties last December for not knowing this.