Changes

Because the Beltway is a closed loop, the usual directional terminology used on other highways is ineffective in describing I-495. Thus, rather than traveling on North I-495 or East I-495, the two directions on the Beltway are called the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop".  Travelers on the Inner Loop of the Beltway move in a "clockwise" direction, while Outer Loop travelers travel the opposite direction.  For a few miles on either side of the Wilson Bridge, each of the loops splits into local and express (through) roadways, for a total of four roadways called (from north to south) Inner Loop — Local, Inner Loop — Through, Outer Loop — Through, and Outer Loop — Local.

Because the Beltway is a closed loop, the usual directional terminology used on other highways is ineffective in describing I-495. Thus, rather than traveling on North I-495 or East I-495, the two directions on the Beltway are called the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop".  Travelers on the Inner Loop of the Beltway move in a "clockwise" direction, while Outer Loop travelers travel the opposite direction.  For a few miles on either side of the Wilson Bridge, each of the loops splits into local and express (through) roadways, for a total of four roadways called (from north to south) Inner Loop — Local, Inner Loop — Through, Outer Loop — Through, and Outer Loop — Local.

The Beltway is an extremely busy roadway, used by tourists, commuters and interstate travelers. During rush hour it is not uncommon for the Beltway to slow to thirty miles per hour or less due to the factors such as traffic volume, accidents or weather related delays.  Indeed, it is the third most congested freeway in the United States.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/20/AR2010012001265.html GPS study ranks Capital Beltway third worst for freeway congestion], ''[[The Washington Post]],'' January 21, 2010</ref>

The Beltway is an extremely busy roadway, used by tourists, commuters and interstate travelers. During rush hour it is not uncommon for the Beltway to slow to thirty miles per hour or less due to the factors such as traffic volume, accidents or weather related delays.  Indeed, it is the third most congested freeway in the United States.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/20/AR2010012001265.html GPS study ranks Capital Beltway third worst for freeway congestion], ''[[The Washington Post]],'' January 21, 2010</ref>

The phrase "Inside the Beltway" refers to political matters related to the Capitol in Washington DC.<ref>http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/beltway.htm</ref> "Inside the Beltway" is also a regular column in the [[Washington Times]]. Most governmental agencies and buildings are located inside the Beltway in Maryland, DC or Virginia.

The phrase "Inside the Beltway" refers to political matters related to the Capitol in Washington DC.<ref>http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/beltway.htm</ref> "Inside the Beltway" is also a regular column in the [[Washington Times]]. Most governmental agencies and buildings are located inside the Beltway in Maryland, DC or Virginia.