commute Frederick to Tysons (Rockville, Potomac: job, house, offer)

[ScottinMD]

What is the realistic commute time from Frederick, MD to Tysons. I do not currently commute down 270 or down 15 through Leesburg but I have a potential job offer in Tysons. I just want to confirm that it would be as bad as I think it would be

[starr71]

I think it would be quite horrendous! Traffic on 270 and 495 in that area is quite heavy during rush hour.

[yankee.peddler]

Regardless of your route, I think you'll be looking at a 60 to 90 minute commute each way during rush hour.

[Tesaje]

I suppose you could go 15 to Leesburg to the Greenway ($3/trip) to the Dulles toll road. 15 in VA is usually pretty slow when I've taken it - about 45mph from slow cars and big trucks. The greenway is good but expensive (15 mins). I've never found really slow traffic on it. The Dulles tollroad is pretty bad in rush hour from a friend who takes it every day. It is pretty much a nightmare commute and no real public trans options.

270 to 495 is bad. 270 has slowdowns at Urbana, 109, and Montrose road. 495 going across the Cabin John is usually pretty ugly but not quite as bad as coming the other way. I think you would do better with the tollroad routes but it would be costly.

[vwfan]

If you leave before 6:00 either way, you'll be fine.

The Route 15 way is more than a $3/direction toll now, plus to get to tysons you'll actually be taking the toll road ontop of the greenway. ($3.20 for the greenway, $.75 for the toll road) VA-7 if you avoid the toll road will definetly take you at least 1 1/2 hours from Frederick.

Taking the toll road, you're looking at 1 1/2 hours between 7:30 - 9:00.

Either way, it's not pleasant. I drove the route 15 through leesburg way with the toll road for a year. Traffic always gets super backed up when you finish off the greenway and hit the toll road... takes you 45 minutes from there to get to tyson's corner. I worked off of Jones Branch Drive in Tyson's.

I wouldn't recommend it unless it pays a lot of money. I also drove this from Brunswick, which is closer than Frederick.

[macroy]

Dude - good luck.
I lived in Potomac and commuted down to TC for 4 years. On a map, my house was 4 miles from my office "as the crow flies". However it was about 12 miles via the road system. And here's the kicker - 45-60 commute leaving at the off hours (6:30 out and 3pm back).

I avoided the beltway at all costs. For me (I lived by Glen rd and Piney Meeting House, closer to Rockville than Potomac Village), I took Piney Meeting House to River Rd to Clara Barton Pkwy. And I got off at the very next exit GW PKWY/Old Georgetown Pike. So the only portion of the beltway I was on was the American Legions Bridge.

If you can find a nice back road down to that area (i.e. Rt. 28) give that a shot. Otherwise, I'd say you may want to consider that job. This is all very personal, but commute time is a HUGE factor for me.

If the job is flexible in terms of time, that will help. Leaving WAY early (morning and after will help).

[ScottinMD]

Thanks for the feedback. I currently work off of route 100 and commute about 50 miles each way. That commute is rarely more than 50 minutes though.

I just wanted to confirm what I suspected a Tysons commute would be like. I will probably pass on the job.

Thanks again.

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by ScottinMD

Thanks for the feedback. I currently work off of route 100 and commute about 50 miles each way. That commute is rarely more than 50 minutes though.

I just wanted to confirm what I suspected a Tysons commute would be like. I will probably pass on the job.

Thanks again.

I'm a bit late in chiming in but I think you made a good choice.

I did the Frederick to Leesburg commute for 2 yrs. It's pretty brutal during rush hour, can push 1 hr easy, and that's not even counting your Leesburg to Tysons portion.

As far as via 270 and the beltway, ouch. Even Frederick to Rockville can be tough.

Either route would probably be at least 90 min each way, and I think it'll only get worse in the years ahead.

[sundaze]

It would be as bad as you think it would be or worse.

[vwfan]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

I'm a bit late in chiming in but I think you made a good choice.

I did the Frederick to Leesburg commute for 2 yrs. It's pretty brutal during rush hour, can push 1 hr easy, and that's not even counting your Leesburg to Tysons portion.

As far as via 270 and the beltway, ouch. Even Frederick to Rockville can be tough.

Either route would probably be at least 90 min each way, and I think it'll only get worse in the years ahead.

Takes me about 30 minutes to get from Brunswick to Leesburg. Leesburg isn't that big of a deal, it's when you get to the end of the greenway where the real backup starts!