I hate amtrak and trying very hard to fly for an upcoming day trip (actually 3 of them). They are all on weekdays midweek, on 11th Ave between 51st and 52nd, and all set to end at 7:15pm. The last flight from LGA to DCA leaves at 9pm. I haven't driven on Manhattan in a couple of years and if it weren't for rush hour, I'd think that 1 hour 45 minutes would be more than enough to get from 51&11 to LGA but I don't know what to expect for this time of day.

Would it be realistic that I could make this 9pm flight if I left Manhattan between 7:15 and 7:30 or should I just deal with my hatred of Amtrak?