I haven't a clue why Google Maps deems it valuable to ask me to review a frickin bridge, but here goes. I hate this bridge. Hate. H - A - T - E . I don't have anything against Virginia; some of my favorite relatives live on the other side of the river. But anytime I come back from visiting them, I end up suffering backups to cross this bridge. Why do NB drivers slow down immediately after crossing the American Legion bridge? Do their cars have a hard time getting back up to 55 on the mild but long incline following the bridge? Do their ankles get tired? Are they just trying to be empathetic to their cars? Maybe just used to going slow after the 15 or maybe 50 minute backup they experienced on the way to the bridge? Now, I'm actually glad that the application prevents me from going lower than one star for this review, because after all, a bridge is handy when one does not own a boat or enjoy non-recreational swimming. You are a solid one star based on that criteria and nobody can take that away from you, American Legion bridge.

This bridge will give you ample time to sit in traffic and decide if your job is worth the commute. You will likely decide it’s not as you start to lose your sanity in the sea of unmoving vehicles. I know this is not the bridge’s fault but it’s bad for the economy because no matter what shift you work there will be traffic and you will want to quit.

Real nice quiet place to fish considering there’s 10 lanes of 70mph traffic above you. A little history lesson for those calling it just a bridge and giving it a low rating for their frustration of heavy traffic. The structure was completed in 1962 and was originally named the “Cabin John bridge”. It didn’t get its current name until 1969. It is arguably the most congested and highest traveled bridge on the east coast connecting the 2 most populous and highest per capta income counties in the region: Montgomery and Fairfax. From what I saw underneath, considering the structures age, the bridge looks to be VERY WELL built with massive oversized pilings and concrete with the highest tensile strength of its day (which was much more than it is now) and wouldn’t see any need for being rebuilt for at least another 10-20 years. From being grown up in south FL, I’ve seen much newer overpasses/bridges that look much worse with fewer and thinner pilings. As far as adding hot lanes right now would only burden the traffic situation. In my humble opinion I think the two states should come together with their savings* and focus on development and construction for a new bridge further up river connecting Loudoun and Frederick/far western Montgomery counties. Only than would hot lanes/tolls be feasible as it would lighten traffic. It’s treacherous to get down to this spot and parking is extremely limited as the neighbors on the street more than likely frown upon doing it. Once you get down though it’s a great view. The water is most clear after it hasn’t rained in a long time. You can see Minnie Island and others as well. A lot of wildlife and bird species including Great Blue Heron which will hang out with you as long as they see you fishing. Do NOT feed them catfish, the fins of the catfish are razor sharp and could injure the bird.

People giving this bridge 3-4 stars must strictly be talking about aesthetics, because it is quite possibly the worst section of the entire Beltway to navigate by car. The combination of downward-sloping geography heading towards the bridge, five-lane curved highways, and a constant high volume of cars & trucks creates a recipe for some of the worst traffic congestion in the whole region. Not fun.

Although the bridge is old it would HELP if people realized there's an upgrade thus press the gas pedal to maintain speed. They teach throttle control in the motorcycle safety course. Maybe they should do the same for cars/trucks.

Why do they put the Welcome to Maryland sign after you cross the bridge into Maryland. The Potomac River in this area technically belongs in Maryland, not Virginia, so the sign needs to be just before you get on the bridge, not after. Oh by the way, this bridge and the Beltway in Maryland needs to widened to 12 lanes.

I have spent countless hours here stuck on this bridge. There is nothing memorable about it. Only pain

Worst traffic, every time, every day here

Best driving experience of your life