@pickledginger - YES, you can expect a fair amount of traffic. Maybe even more than a fair amount, given that there will be more traffic heading to UMD in addition to the usual rush hour traffic. Use Google Maps, or the app of your choice, to check the traffic flow, as soon as you can that morning.
It sounds like you are at the Courtyard in Silver Spring. The Beltway will have heavy traffic and the other routes have traffic lights. There are also traffic lights on Route 1. Traffic lights tend to slow down the flow.
My D’s apartment in South Campus Commons is about 50 yards from Route 1, the area that is often described as not that appealing. She, and her friends, routinely go to CVS, Target, restaurants, and bars (she is 22 now) and have had no problems. As in any urban area, common sense is needed. They also take the Metro, or Uber into DC. I would recommend just walking by that area to assess your own feeling about it.
As @maryversity suggested, you may want to contact Reslife about a tour of Prince Frederick Hall. Even if you just walk by, I think you will find it very appealing. My D has been in there and said it’s like a hotel.