495 Express Lanes Northern Extension
About the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension
The 2.5-mile northern extension of the 495 Express Lanes opened early Sunday morning, November 23, 2025 – ahead of the design-build contract schedule and the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period.
Safety remains the top priority for VDOT. As traffic becomes acclimated to the new lanes and ramps, drivers should use caution when traveling on the new express lanes extension and within the surrounding area.
The 495 Express Lanes northern extension includes two new express lanes in each direction of I-495 (the Capital Beltway) between the Dulles Corridor and George Washington Memorial Parkway interchanges. This expansion of the current northbound and southbound 495 Express Lanes through McLean to before the American Legion Bridge will provide more capacity, new connections with major commuter and business routes, and new travel options for people who face daily gridlock and congestion in this section of the Beltway.
Learn more about the 495 NEXT project, a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Transurban, operator of the existing 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes.
How to use the new 495 Express Lanes
The new 495 Express Lanes northern extension functions under the same rules of the road as the other express lanes facilities operated by Transurban on I-95, I-395 and I-495.
Vehicles with three or more people (HOV-3+) travel toll-free with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode. Vehicles with one or two occupants can choose to use the lanes by paying a dynamically priced toll that fluctuates to manage demand and keep traffic moving at highway speeds. Motorcycles travel toll free, with no E-ZPass required.
The extension connects seamlessly with the existing 14-mile 495 Express Lanes and is part of Northern Virginia's 97-mile network of express lanes.
For questions about the Express Lanes, visit ExpressLanes.com or call 1-855-495-9777.
For information about E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex, visit EZPassVA.com or call 1-877-762-7824.
New access points
Enhanced transit service
New access points
The George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) and the Dulles Toll Road both connect to the new extension. New dedicated express lanes ramps are open from the northbound express lanes to the GWMP, from the GWMP to the southbound express lanes and from east- and westbound Dulles Toll Road to the northbound express lanes.
Since the new northbound 495 Express Lanes run almost to Maryland, drivers are no longer be able to access Georgetown Pike directly from the express lanes via I-495 general purpose lanes. Drivers are reminded to plan ahead before using the new lanes as routes may change.
Visit ExpressLanes.com/495Extension for more details about the new connections and how to use them.
Click here for a factsheet about navigating the 495 Express Lanes Extension.
495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Access Points Map
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Enhanced transit service
As we improve I-495, VDOT and its partners have options to make your travel through the corridor easier. Let someone else do the driving or consider working from home to optimize your ride during construction on I-495.
Local governments across Virginia have their own long-standing programs and expertise helping employers and residents with their commutes. In Northern Virginia that includes Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
Learn more about transit and commuter options in Northern Virginia by visiting CommuterConnections.org.
Take the bus - Express Route 798
Buses travel the express lanes toll-free. Existing bus service on the 495 Express Lanes benefiting from the Extension includes the Fairfax Connector's Express Bus Service Route 798 between Tysons and Bethesda, two of the busiest areas within the greater Washington, D.C. region.
Key highlights of Express Route 798:
- Five stops between Tysons West*Park Transit Station and Montgomery Lane and East Lane in Downtown Bethesda
- Weekday rush hour service every 20 minutes
- Transfer to four bus systems
- Stops at three Metro stations: Bethesda, Medical Center and Tysons
- Express fare: $4.80 one-way
Funding support by VDOT and its 495 NEXT project partner, Transurban, enabled this bi-state bus service, which launched in September 2024.
Carpool and vanpool
The region’s Commuter Connections ’Pool Rewards program provides up to $130 for new carpoolers. Commuters who join or form a carpool that travels through the 495 NEXT project area through 2026 can receive an additional $100. Find a carpool or carpool partner and get started at Commuter Connections.
Vanpool Alliance, the region's vanpool resource, can help commuters form and/or join a vanpool. New vanpool riders that travel through the 495 NEXT project area during construction are eligible to receive $200 monthly for six months.
When you commute to work by carpool, vanpool or transit, you may be eligible for free rides home through the regional Commuter Connections Guaranteed Ride Home program. Learn more about the Guaranteed Ride Home program.
More improvements coming in 2026
After opening the new 495 Express Lanes northern extension, 495 NEXT project construction will continue into 2026 as crews work on finishing additional upgrades and project elements throughout the corridor. These improvements include the new Beltway bridge at Georgetown Pike, four miles of new bicycle and pedestrian connections, environmental improvements to Scott’s Run Stream, a new parking and trail connection to Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, and revegetation plantings across the corridor.
Lane closures during non-peak travel times will continue to be necessary through mid-2026 for crews to safely complete these important final project elements, which will benefit surrounding communities and local travelers.
Learn more about project features and benefits.
Last updated: December 10, 2025
