DCAWD.com

anybody have any idea how early would I have to show up on a Wednesday to find a parking space at the Franconia-Springfield METRO garage?

Before 7. Because most people have to be to work between 7-8 that's when the lot starts filling up. Probably a better idea is to park at the commuter lot at Springfield Mall in the lot I pointed out in the link below and then walk to the metro. Plus, here you won't have to pay for parking.

Free (as in beer) parking.

A financial factor to consider with parking - you have to have a SmartTrip card to exit the lot. Thats a $10 'deposit' that you get to make, and you can pick one up inside the station (if you don't have it already, of course)

already have a SmartTrip card. my conference is at 7:30 so I planned on parking around 6:30.

thanks guys.