Originally Posted by skAAtinsteph
I have lived in DC now for a few months and still have a hard time driving anywhere! I find the streets in DC very confusing.
The DC street nomenclature is actually well thought. DC is divided into four quadrants, with the US Capital as the epicenter. Capital Street runs North-South and delineates between the East and West halves. Streets start at 1 and increment outwards from Capital Street.
The streets running East-West start run through the alphabet - first with just the letter, then single syllable words, double syllable words, triple syllable words and finish with flowers & trees. "I" Street is labeled as "Eye" Street to avoid confusion with between 1 and I.
Most of the streets name after States run diagonal and there is not standard. There are also a few exceptions - added streets, etc. just to confuse things a bit.
It's important to know which quadrant the address is located, so you'll see addresses such as 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Addresses also follow the street names - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW is on Pennsylvania Ave between 16th & 17th Streets.
Cheers & Welcome to DC!
Jeff