Thumpin,
Yes, D.C. is very much like that.
People complain about driving in New York. pffffffffft. New York is a breeze compared to D.C. New York is very much a grid. I have had very minor problems goign from point A to point B in NYC, ic an't say the same for D.C.
Not to say New York doesn't have it's difficult parts and traffic, however I have been more lost in D.C. than I have in New York. And I live right near D.C.
If I ever want a challenge, I'll drive into DC through a random road, and see how long it takes for me to find my way out to the other side, back on the highway, etc. A compass can be helpful when driving in D.C.
Give me grids over wacky turns, dead-ends, streets that seem to stop, and start elsewhere, etc.