High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Systems

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HOV - Northern Virginia: When and Where

I-495 Express Lanes

HOV-3 traffic can use the high-occupancy toll (express) lanes on Interstate 495 for free with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode. Visit www.ExpressLanes.com for details.

I-95 / I-395 Express Lanes

HOV-3 traffic can use the high-occupancy toll (express) lanes on Interstate 95 and Interstate 395 free with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode. Details: www.ExpressLanes.com/395.

I-66 HOV-2

Inside the Beltway

The hours are 5:30 - 9:30 a.m. going east and 3 - 7 p.m. going west, Monday through Friday. 

Solo drivers have the option of paying a toll to use the lanes in the peak direction during rush hours.

The lanes remain free for HOV-2+ vehicles (with E-ZPass Flex), buses, motorcycles and emergency response vehicles. 

The lanes are free to all during off-peak periods, including weekends.

Details: http://www.transform66.org/splash.html.

Outside the Beltway
The far left lane is reserved for HOV-2 heading east in the morning and west in the afternoon.

From: Route 15 in Haymarket
To: Capital Beltway (I-495)
Days: Monday - Friday

  • Going east: 5:30 - 9:30 a.m.
  • Going west: 3 - 7 p.m.

Exit ramps at Monument Drive and Stringfellow Road

  • On weekdays, the ramps are open eastbound to HOV-2 traffic only from 5:30 - 9:30 a.m., and westbound to HOV-2 traffic only from 3 - 7 p.m. 
  • The ramps are closed to all traffic from 5 - 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 - 10 a.m. on weekdays for the directional switch. 
  • At all other times and throughout the weekend, the ramps are open westbound to all traffic.

I-66 Outside the Beltway will become HOV-3 when the Express Lanes from Gainesville to I-495 open in late 2022.

Dulles Toll Road HOV-2

The far left lane is reserved for HOV-2 going east in the morning and west in the afternoon. Details: http://www.metwashairports.com/tollroad/toll.htm.

From: Route 28
To: The main toll plaza
Days: Monday-Friday

  • Going east: 6:30 - 9 a.m.
  • Going west: 4 - 6:30 p.m.

Page last modified: March 30, 2020