Northern Virginia Commuters to Launch 66-Day Slugging Challenge

Slugging allows drivers to meet the HOV-3+ requirements for the I-66 Express Lanes, granting them toll-free access while providing passengers with a reliable, cost-free ride to major employment hubs like Rosslyn, L'Enfant Plaza, and Metro Center. By coordinating at designated Park and Ride facilities at University Boulevard in Gainesville and Monument Drive in Fairfax, participants bypass the typical solo-driver slog.

David LeBlanc, spokesperson for the I-66 Slugging Network, noted that as return-to-office mandates increase traffic, the demand for efficient, low-stress commuting alternatives has intensified. While the practice of swapping rides without exchanging money has existed in the region for decades, this initiative seeks to formalize the network through digital tracking and community engagement. Interested commuters can register at slugi66.com to track their trips and compete for up to $1,000 in prizes throughout the duration of the program.