I've taken Uber/Lyft after each playoff game for the last 2 years. We usually check the wait times and surge pricing immediately following the game; if you're quick, you can get picked up and out of the neighborhood pretty fast. I've never waited more than 15 minutes to be picked up but once in the car, the traffic can be BAD. Your Uber can get very expensive very quickly. I think the most we paid last season was around $75 (we live off of 14th and Arkansas). Tonight we'll probably take the Circulator bus to Union Station and grab an Uber or a Taxi from there.
Check the Uber app for ride passes-- they are not always on offer but they can save $$ when you can get them. This month I paid $20 for the pass and all my rides up to $25 value are capped at $7.99; bigger fares are basically discounted by $17 (you pay the $7.99 and the overage from $25). Really helps with the surge pricing.
I also mapped out the bus routes last year but didn't need them--- if you're in Petworth you may be able to get home in under an hour via Metro Bus (I think you would need to change busses in Chinatown).
I will never understand why people take the metro to a game. Tried it for the first time in 3 years this year took me 1 hour longer to get home than to drive.
I like beer and I don't like paying $40 for parking.
