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Washington, D.C. air right now

GoodAQI 39

Washington, D.C.’s five-day smoke forecast shows the current index and the clearest time ahead.

39
AQI now
7
PM2.5 · µg/m³
3 cleaner spots within 3 hr drive

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

Harpers Ferry looks like the better move.71% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 30 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Washington, D.C. Local readings Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Shepherdstown
Cel-shaded illustration of Shepherdstown
AQI 11
#1ShepherdstownChecking road route

West Virginia· Good

West Virginia's oldest town on the upper Potomac, a walkable river-valley base with inns and B&Bs.

71% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

71% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Hagerstown monitor.

Directions
Harpers Ferry
Cel-shaded illustration of Harpers Ferry
AQI 11
#2Harpers Ferry~1 h 30 min drive

West Virginia· Good

Historic hillside town where the Potomac and Shenandoah cut a gap through the Blue Ridge, with river-gap breezes and B&Bs.

71% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

71% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Hagerstown monitor.

Directions
Front Royal
Cel-shaded illustration of Front Royal
AQI 17
#3Front Royal~1 h 30 min drive

Virginia· Good

Northern gateway to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, a valley town with cool upland air and highway-close lodging.

56% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.1 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.1/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

56% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Gettysburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Gettysburg
AQI 29
#4GettysburgChecking road route

Pennsylvania· Good

Historic battlefield town in the Pennsylvania hills, with a broad range of inns and hotels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5.3 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.3/22 × 7 = 1.7 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
24% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Arendtsville monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
St. Michaels
Cel-shaded illustration of St. Michaels
AQI 33
#5St. MichaelsChecking road route

Maryland· Good

Chesapeake Bay harbor town on Maryland's Eastern Shore, wrapped in open-water air, with waterfront inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 6 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6/22 × 7 = 1.9 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
14% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Horn Point monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Cambridge
Cel-shaded illustration of Cambridge
AQI 33
#6CambridgeChecking road route

Maryland· Good

Eastern Shore town on the wide Choptank River, with waterfront air and a growing base of inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 6 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6/22 × 7 = 1.9 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
14% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Horn Point monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Baltimore
Cel-shaded illustration of Baltimore
AQI 39
#7Baltimore~1 h drive

Maryland· Good

A major Maryland city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 7 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
0% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Lake Montebello monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Annapolis
Cel-shaded illustration of Annapolis
AQI 55
#8AnnapolisChecking road route

Maryland· Moderate

Historic sailing capital on the Chesapeake Bay, with harbor breezes and a dense base of inns and hotels.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 11 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Washington, D.C.

57% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the HU-Beltsville monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Walker Mill
Cel-shaded illustration of Walker Mill
AQI unavailable
#9Walker MillChecking road route

Maryland

Maryland community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Oxon Hill-Glassmanor
Cel-shaded illustration of Oxon Hill-Glassmanor
AQI unavailable
#10Oxon Hill-GlassmanorChecking road route

Maryland

Maryland community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Lincolnia
Cel-shaded illustration of Lincolnia
AQI unavailable
#11LincolniaChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
West Falls Church
Cel-shaded illustration of West Falls Church
AQI unavailable
#12West Falls ChurchChecking road route

Virginia

Virginia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Charlottesville
Cel-shaded illustration of Charlottesville
AQI 19
#13Charlottesville~2 h 40 min drive

Virginia· Good

Blue Ridge foothills college city, with mountain-edge air, vineyards nearby and a broad base of hotels and inns.

50% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.5 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.5/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Staunton
Cel-shaded illustration of Staunton
AQI 19
#14StauntonChecking road route

Virginia· Good

Shenandoah Valley town ringed by the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies, with a walkable historic downtown of inns.

50% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3.5 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.5/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Wildwood
Cel-shaded illustration of Wildwood
AQI 23
#15WildwoodChecking road route

New Jersey· Good

Wide-beach Jersey Shore resort town with a two-mile boardwalk, swept by onshore Atlantic air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4.2 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.2/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

40% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Berkeley Springs
Cel-shaded illustration of Berkeley Springs
AQI 24
#16Berkeley Springs~2 h 10 min drive

West Virginia· Good

Mountain spa town in West Virginia's eastern panhandle, a historic wellness base with cool ridge air and plentiful inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4.4 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.4/22 × 7 = 1.4 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

37% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Berlin
Cel-shaded illustration of Berlin
AQI 24
#17BerlinChecking road route

Maryland· Good

Eastern Shore Victorian town minutes from Assateague's beaches, a quieter inland base than Ocean City.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4.4 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.4/22 × 7 = 1.4 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

37% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Port Perry
Cel-shaded illustration of Port Perry
AQHI 1
#18Port PerryChecking road route

Ontario· Low risk

Lake Scugog harbour town northeast of Toronto, an easy open-water escape with a historic Main Street.

90% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.7 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.7/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

90% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 1: Low risk (Oshawa station)

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

AQHI from the Oshawa station. PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Port Hope
Cel-shaded illustration of Port Hope
AQHI 1
#19Port HopeChecking road route

Ontario· Low risk

Lake Ontario heritage town near Cobourg, with a walkable historic Main Street and open-water air.

86% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1/22 × 7 = 0.3 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

86% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

AQHI 1: Low risk (Peterborough station)

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

AQHI from the Peterborough station. PM2.5 from the Peterborough monitor.

Directions
Cobourg
Cel-shaded illustration of Cobourg
AQI 6
#20CobourgChecking road route

Ontario· Good

Victorian lakefront town with a long sandy beach an easy hop east of the GTA.

84% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.1 µg/m³ here vs 7 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.1/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Washington, D.C. right now

84% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT · 49 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

Air quality in nearby cities →
Baltimore air qualityHarrisburg air qualityRichmond air qualityPhiladelphia air qualityAllentown air qualityNorfolk air qualityVirginia Beach air qualityScranton air qualityPittsburgh air qualityNew York City air qualityDurham air qualityRaleigh air quality

What this means · Washington, D.C.

Good

AQI 39

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Air quality is satisfactory for most outdoor plans.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people can still enjoy the outdoors.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 7 µg/m³ (Good), so the headline and the particle scale below tell the same story.

Act two · Fine particles only

Where PM2.5 lands

This bar is smoke and fine particles (PM2.5) only. Left is cleaner air; right is heavier particle pollution. Today's particles sit in Good.

7 µg/m³
Clean · 0Smoky · 40Severe · 80+

Act three · Particle ladder

What each PM2.5 rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · Felt number

Cigarettes a week

A secondary feel for the particle load only — not a medical claim, and not a substitute for AQI.

2.2/wk

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 7 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 7/22 × 7 = 2.2 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →