Since 1790, Washington D.C. (also called the District of Columbia or simply D.C.) has been the capital of the United States. The total area of Washington D.C. is 68.3 square miles. Next to Los Angeles, Washington D.C. has a reputation for having the worst traffic in the nation. One study cited that residents of the area spent an average of 60 hours every year in traffic jams. Obviously, this is the major regional concern for auto shippers as shipments can be delayed. In addition, many of the streets and areas in Washington D.C. are strictly regulated and protected by the small local government and Congress. This means that auto shippers often cannot perform door to door shipping to residents.
Washington D.C. is in the humid subtropical zone and has four separate and distinguishable seasons. Winters generally do not host temperatures lower than 30 degree F. In addition, blizzards only affect the area about once every 4 or 5 years. However, a combination of humidity and heat during the spring and summer has the potential to bring tornadoes to the area. At the very least, thunderstorms frequent the area and can occasionally flood the Potomac River.
Major highways in the area include Interstate 66 which crosses the Potomac River, Interstate 395 which spans the southern portion of the Washington D.C. area and Interstate 495 which encircles the entirety of Washington D.C.