Suggestions for Commute from Baltimore to Bethesda (Silver Spring, Ellicott City: lease, how much)

[DonD726]

I am going to be starting a job in Bethesda and currently I am living in Baltimore City. In the future I would like to move closer but for the next 2 years I am going to have to stay in Baltimore. Is there any good way to avoid the section of 495-W from I-95 to Bethesda? I haven't driven it during rush hour to see what it is like but I've heard that it is typically jammed. Is it as bad as everyone says?

I've looked at taking a MARC train and then the Metro to Bethesda since my office will be close to the station. It seems like that is going to be pretty expensive and I don't know how much time it would save, if any. I may consider it if driving is really bad but I think I'll leave that as a last resort at this point.

I can play around with the route on Google maps and try to take back roads to avoid the beltway but I'm wondering if it'll matter if everyone else is doing this too? How much time should I expect to spend in the car? If anyone has done this or a similar commute do you have any recommendations? Thanks!

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by DonD726

I am going to be starting a job in Bethesda and currently I am living in Baltimore City.
In the future I would like to move closer but...

I have a six pack of decent beer that says within 3 months you'll do whatever is needed
(break lease? leave SO?) in order to not have to do this commute (car or train) any more.

If anyone has done this or a similar commute do you have any recommendations?

If it's a good job, one that you want and pays enough to afford DC rents... start planning a move. Now.
If it's an iffy job, not especially interesting and doesn't pay a lot better... pass on the offer.

hth

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by DonD726

I am going to be starting a job in Bethesda and currently I am living in Baltimore City. In the future I would like to move closer but for the next 2 years I am going to have to stay in Baltimore. Is there any good way to avoid the section of 495-W from I-95 to Bethesda? I haven't driven it during rush hour to see what it is like but I've heard that it is typically jammed. Is it as bad as everyone says?

I have only done the reverse commute from Silver Spring to Baltimore. Exiting I-95 at Cherry Hill and continuing on Randolph Road is a good alternative but there is fairly heavy traffic on it. The best way to judge the route is to listen to the traffic reports from WTOP. Other alternatives like Route 108 and New Hampshire probably take longer unless there is a bad wreck on the interstates.

[sobo16]

I suspect you will find that half the time, driving will take just as long as MARC/metro, and the other half of the time, driving will take even longer.

Where in Baltimore City do you live? If you can quickly and easily get to Penn Station or West Baltimore, I strongly suggest taking the Penn Line to Union Station, taking advantage of express trains wherever possible. Then from Union Station, it's only a 23 minute ride on the red line. Your commute will be long either way, but riding the train is less stressful than sitting in traffic, and not having to change metro trains is a big advantage.

A monthly MARC pass is $175, and you can also get a Transit Link Card for $102 more (see MARC Transit Link Card (TLC) | Maryland Transit Administration) for unlimited metro trips. I think $277 for monthly commuting costs is a relatively good deal, especially when compared to gasoline and wear and tear on your vehicle.

Best of luck.

[macroy]

Can you alter your schedule? I have to go from Ellicott City to Tyson's corner every so often. Leaving at just before 6am, I can get there in just over an hour. Of course, you still want alternate routes for inclement weather and accidents.

For those days where you know traffic is going to suck due to weather - You may even want to think about the option of going west toward Shady Grove and then just taking the metro down. Its a round about way, but the traffic is less severe through the back roads of Howard County. I guess it all depends on if you rather take a longer, less crowded route or shorter more stop and go route.

[xxengineerxx]

Unless you willing to pay for ICC toll...you are SOL...Moving closer is your only option. But you will be paying DC/MoCo/FFX rate

[DonD726]

Thanks everyone for the help. I actually live within walking distance of Camden station on the Camden line. Since there aren't any express trains on that line and in the summer they slow the trains down when it is really hot, it might be worth it to drive south to the nearest station on the Penn line. Unfortunately my schedule isn't very flexible so I'm going to be commuting during rush hour.

[reiflame]

Originally Posted by xxengineerxx

Unless you willing to pay for ICC toll...you are SOL...Moving closer is your only option. But you will be paying DC/MoCo/FFX rate

Even then, the ICC doesn't really go anywhere near Bethesda and you'd be stuck taking some horrible combination of back roads that won't save you any time.

OP, you will hate yourself if you insist on staying in Baltimore.