The traffic between alexandria and vienna (Springfield, Oakton: houses, neighborhoods, live in)

[windycityagain]

Hi,
I wonder if you can tell me how long it takes to drive between old tow alexandria and vienna during rush hour?
Say lives at vienna and works at alexandria. Is it opposite direction of the normal traffic?

Thanks very much.

[dullnboring]

Unfortunately, it is not the opposite direction of normal traffic and involves travel on some of the region's most clogged roads. I would say on average it will take around 60 minutes.

[seldomseen]

Beltway traffic is pretty much heavy going towards both Alexandria, and Tyson's Corner during morning/evening rush hour. Certain sections of the beltway will move faster, and then bottle neck at other sections during rush hour commute.

You can anticipate a commute time of 60 - 90 minutes easy. And if the weather is inclement, or if there's an accident just plan of being even more late.

[windycityagain]

Thanks very much for the replies. My realtor highly recommends vienna. He mentioned the houses he showed to me can avoid the congested section on beltway.
So let's assume he's correct. If you only trave on faster section of the beltway, how long does it take during rush hour?
Thanks!

[platinum]

The bottom line is no matter where you live in that area, you will be stuck in traffic. It is unavoidable. I love the area. Always something to do. Good Luck.

[seldomseen]

Originally Posted by windycityagain

Thanks very much for the replies. My realtor highly recommends vienna. He mentioned the houses he showed to me can avoid the congested section on beltway.
So let's assume he's correct. If you only trave on faster section of the beltway, how long does it take during rush hour?
Thanks!

It really all depends...the reality of it all is the traffic in NoVa is down right bad. Case in point, it used to take me 60 minutes to commute to work each day and I only lived 15 miles from my office!! lol Vienna is a nice, town and it's location offers "easier" access to the Maryland, D.C. Alexandria, or Springfield.

[zenetanar]

Don't do it -- my first job I lived in Alexandria City and worked in Oakton (near Vienna but one more exit on 66.) If I took the beltway, I would cry... it was like a parking lot. What I ended up doing was taking Duke/ Little River Turnpike to Blake Lane, and going north from there. That took me about 45 minutes to get to Oakton. It was still a pain though -- there is in my opinion a big difference between a 35 minute and 45 minute commute... 45 is too much!

By the way, I would finish work at 4pm and it only took me 25 minutes to get back to Alexandria on the beltway... if you have off hours, it might not be that bad.

[windycityagain]

Sorry about delayed response. Thanks very much for all your insightful and thoughtful replies.
After reading your suggestions and looking at the neighborhoods, we are narrowing down to cameron station and kingstowne community. Thanks for your help in our decision-making process.

[seldomseen]

Cameron Station and Kingstowne are both very nice communities that offer easy access to the District and elsewhere.

Good Luck!

[saganista]

Originally Posted by zenetanar

Don't do it -- my first job I lived in Alexandria City and worked in Oakton (near Vienna but one more exit on 66.) If I took the beltway, I would cry... it was like a parking lot. What I ended up doing was taking Duke/ Little River Turnpike to Blake Lane, and going north from there. That took me about 45 minutes to get to Oakton. It was still a pain though -- there is in my opinion a big difference between a 35 minute and 45 minute commute... 45 is too much!

You can't get to Blake Lane off 236-W. Right on Pickett Road at the Fair City Mall. That turns into Blake Lane as you cross Lee Highway.

Originally Posted by zenetanar

By the way, I would finish work at 4pm and it only took me 25 minutes to get back to Alexandria on the beltway... if you have off hours, it might not be that bad.

Excellent point. The morning and evening can be, and often are, two completely different things. And off-hours can solve almost everything!