One of my bosses was driving in on I-395 past the Pentagon and saw the plane crash into the building. She said everyone was in shock. The plane had disappeared into the building and flames and smoke were all they could see. Cars stopped, people pulled over and got out of their cars. The FBI was there almost immediately closing roads and redirecting traffic. But it took a long time to clear the roads and people helplessly watched the carnage wondering what was next.
I had no trouble getting home on the metro train when I left at 2:30 p.m. The city was very quiet with few people on the streets. The cordoned off area surrounding the White House was a street away from the block where my building is located and the police/Secret Service presence was visible.
Unfortunately, my cable and roadrunner Internet access were down the whole evening and I was unable to communicate or see much other than the local channels on a TV with an old antenna.
This morning the metro trains are running smoothly and the cordoned off area around the White House has been moved back. People on the train and in the streets were subdued, but going about their normal schedules.