Both my sons went to school in D.C. and I spent many Saturdays there. I think Washington is tougher because the streets are laid out like the spokes on a bicycle wheel, whereas NYC is a perfect grid, with streets running east-west and avenues running north-south.
Of course, NY cab drivers are justifiably famous for their aggressiveness, which adds a bit to the difficulty. Whenever I visit the Big Apple, I take off my polite, suburban, "sure--you can squeeze in ahead of me" manners and go into Earnhardt mode. The cabbies can sense fear and weakness!
yes, NYC is easier as far as figuring out the grid. DC streets often have no rhyme or reason. i do agree that cabbies can sense weakness. he stuck to the middle lane and the denali is very much like a tank, he proceeded at his own pace. i think you can drive anywhere so long as you have self confidence and lightning fast reflexes. there’s no time for second guessing yourself. he couldn’t wait to relate his adventures to his NYC colleagues who do not OWN cars. personally, i thought it was fine driving there, much easier than i thought. i want to go back for a weekend, maybe this summer when xsteen is home. and i think driving is far cheaper than either the train or plane for 5 people, no matter what gas/tolls/parking costs.