Originally Posted by hoangb

Not sure if you read my post in its entirety, though. I did discuss about staying at a hotel at or near the airport where often parking fees are less or there are no parking fees, at least in most major airports where I have visited. Additionally, in terms of renting a car, I also suggested the OP to return the car after visiting the monuments and having dinner early so that OP could just take airport hotel shuttle back to hotel and sleep and wake up to take hotel shuttle back to airport in the morning.

Also, I did factor into account time for getting car rental. If one have say Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club, the car would be waiting in the lot and all one has to do is get the car, drive out, and show attendant ID, and one is good to go. I became Hertz President Circle member after numerous rentals, and I can say the rental is generally very quick and pain free.

As for gas, most airports will have a station nearby, or in the city where OP will visit and just top it off and save receipt. Not sure if that should take more than 5 or 10 minutes.

True, Uber can be an alternative. Better? Not sure. It's all based on what one is interested in doing.

I recently did a trip to Miami where I relied exclusively on trains, buses etc to get around, and I must say that I really liked not having a car to deal with. Also, I have done similar to what OP was thinking and picked up a rental car for a few hours and enjoyed the flexibility to see what I want to see within the time frame that I allotted. I was also able to drive to the "famous" or "must eat" places with my car. I liked both experiences.

So, in the end, Uber can be one option. It will limit the number of sightseeing though.

Car can require a little more time to pick up/ gas up, etc. but $40 is not too expensive, and even if one is not too familiar with DC, a GPS really helps.

Again, everyone has their opinions on what is the best alternative is. I think OP should just read what others have suggested between Metro, Uber, and rental car, and make the choice based on what is most appropriate for OP.