395 Express Lanes open November 17, tolling begins

November 4, 2019

The express version

  • On November 17, the 395 HOV lanes will become dynamically tolled express lanes, offering busy drivers a convenient new choice.
  • All drivers will need an E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex to use the new 395 Express Lanes.
  • Like the rest of the network, tolling and HOV-3 rules will be in effect 24/7, 365 days a year.
  • Drivers will have quicker access to the Pentagon and Pentagon City thanks to the new Eads Street Interchange. Exiting to the Pentagon – remember to stay left.

The 395 HOV lanes are set to open as dynamically tolled express lanes on the night of Sunday, November 17, pending weather and on-road crew activities. 

For final preparation, the 395 HOV lanes will close the evening of Friday, November 15. With safety as the priority, the Express Lanes team is preparing drivers for the changes.  

Here’s what drivers need to know before hitting the road

  • All ramps that currently lead to the 395 HOV lanes will require an E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex when the lanes become the 395 Express Lanes. This includes the northbound ramps near S. Eads Street. 
  • The 395 Express Lanes will pick up where the 95 Express Lanes leave off (around Edsall Road) and run up to the 14th Street Bridge in D.C., giving drivers a continuous trip to the D.C. line.
  • The redesigned interchange at S. Eads Street will bring quicker access to the Pentagon and Pentagon City, but it may take drivers some time to adjust to the new traffic patterns. There will be two ramps to exit the northbound 395 Express Lanes to S. Eads Street – one ramp to the Pentagon and another ramp to Pentagon City. If exiting to the Pentagon remember to stay left. New traffic lights will also go into effect.
  • Beginning the evening of November 14, new stoplights on S. Eads Street and the Pentagon reservation will be placed into flash mode until the Lanes open on Sunday, November 17. Virginia State Police and/or Safety Service Patrol will be on location to assist travelers.
  • The time it takes to reverse the 395 and 95 Express Lanes may take a bit longer during early operations because of the new stoplights at S. Eads Street. 

Tips to stay safe on the road

  • Drivers need to stay alert and give themselves extra drive time while getting used to the new routes.
  • Drivers who accidently get on the 395 Express Lanes shouldn’t worry. They should safely continue until they reach their destination, then give the Express Lanes customer service team a call, who will work with drivers that get on the Lanes by mistake. 
  • Beginning the evening of November 15, drivers traveling I-395 during late-night periods should take extra caution as there will be crews and police on the road to unveil all signage and coordinate the opening. 

E-ZPass® or E-ZPass® Flex will be required at all entry ramps to the Express Lanes

Drivers who get on the northbound 395 HOV lanes just before D.C. may be less likely to have an E-ZPass® compared to other drivers on the HOV lanes. Drivers are reminded that the ramps to the northbound Express Lanes from S. Eads Street and from the regular lanes just before the 14th Street Bridge will require an E-ZPass®.

Carpools with 3 or more people will need an E-ZPass® Flex to travel for free. The Express Lanes team is offering an option for carpoolers who don’t have an E-ZPass® Flex when the lanes open. At any point before December 1, carpoolers who don’t have an E-ZPass® can contact the Express Lanes team to register their license plate number for seven days of toll-free travel on the Lanes. The grace period is to give drivers time to order an E-ZPass® Flex online or pick one up from an area retailer.  

Drivers can get an E-ZPass® by signing up online, calling 877-762-7824, or in-person from E-ZPass® Customer Service Centers or E-ZPass® On-the-Go retail locations.  Still have questions?  Head to the Express Lanes website for more information on E-ZPass® and E-ZPass® Flex.  

Safely stay updated once the 395 Express Lanes are open

Once the Lanes are open, pricing will be available on overhead signs. Updates about any on-road issues will be shared via Twitter (@VAExpressLanes). 

The Express Lanes team is ready to help. If drivers have more questions about the 395 Express Lanes, they can head on over to the 395 Express Lanes website, call at 1-855-495-9777, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., or connect on Facebook or Twitter.