from the southern part of gtown to charles ctr WITH PARKING SPOT easy in 1.5 hrs leave 7 am to 8:30 am. don't know about from upper gtown. one would jhave to drive through gtown to get started.

will also depend upon the disruption created by the replacement of the 11th st bridge.

the east cap st bridge is an alternative, but they are creating a real backup with 11th st shutdowns and i think that to last through 2011.

the only way i can think of to get out of dc is I295.

you could catch a taxi to union sta, train, then cab back to charles center.