Photo by timkelley

I’ve been following all the transportation plans and announcements for weeks. I’ve poured over Metrobus corridor plans, street closure maps, parking restriction maps, Metrorail station closures, bridge closure rules, jumbotron locations, and lists of security checkpoint entrances. And to all of you out there still sitting there, at 10 p.m. on Inauguration Eve, wondering exactly which way you’re going to get down to the Inauguration festivities tomorrow morning, all I can say is, best of luck to you.

Any “guide” touting DCist’s “sugggestions” for the best way to get to the National Mall, the parade route, or the Swearing-In ceremony would only be guesses. The situation is so fluid, so complicated, there’s no way we could give you advice that we can confidently stand behind.

We can reiterate what you’ve surely already guessed: if you live in the city, walking or biking is your best bet. If you decide to walk, go ahead and look to see what the buses look like when they come by—maybe tourists won’t be confident enough to ride Metrobus, and you’ll be able to hop on one and cut your walk in half. If you don’t have a ticket, decide beforehand whether you’re aiming for the National Mall or the Parade Route. Get to wherever you’re going by 9 a.m.

Beyond that, it’s all a crapshoot. Streets we thought would be open might be suddenly closed. Security entrances we think might be less crowded than others could end up being the most popular ones (perhaps even helped on by our recommendation).

So if you’re sitting there at home tonight, feeling like the only person who doesn’t have a clue about the best way to go or the best place to be, take some solace in the fact that no one else knows anything, either. The reason why you haven’t run across some totally thorough, ultimate guide to getting from your door to the best spot on Pennsylvania Ave. is because no one wants to venture a guess.

What we will do is give you the links below. These are the resources we’ve found helpful while plotting our various courses. Dress warm, put a granola bar in your pocket, and give it your best shot. We guarantee it’s going to be a fustercluck at some point, but you’re also probably going to be glad you went to all the trouble.