The merge from 267 to I-495 North in rush hour (Reston: expense, pay)

[dictum9]

Originally Posted by JfromReston

These days if I need to go from 267 to I-495 North during rush hour I use the following route.

Exit 267 on Spring Hill - on the right just before the main toll plaza.
Go RIGHT on International
Go LEFT on Jones Branch
Go LEFT at sign for I-495 Express Lanes
Go LEFT at sign for I-495 North Express Lanes

This route can save a LOT of time!

This does not seem right. Going from 267 East to 459N, the last exit before toll is 16B, which is 7 West. There is no other exit before the toll. Just 16A and 16B, which are 7 East, and 7 West, respectively.
There is even a big sign: Last exit before toll, 16B.

If you look on the map, spring hill road is located after the toll. (i.e. east of the toll on 267)

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by dictum9

This does not seem right. Going from 267 East to 459N, the last exit before toll is 16B, which is 7 West. There is no other exit before the toll. Just 16A and 16B, which are 7 East, and 7 West, respectively.
There is even a big sign: Last exit before toll, 16B.

If you look on the map, spring hill road is located after the toll. (i.e. east of the toll on 267)

At the main Toll plaza, the rightmost "toll" lane actually takes you past the toll booth to the Spring Hill road exit. You still pay a toll here, but it's a dollar cheaper than the main toll. Then, follow directions above. (You will likely make up that dollar ans more getting on the express lanes.)

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by dictum9

They are usually just as bad. In fact, going from 267 toll road east to 66 east, the road is often clear with the exception of these two exits.

Correction: they are almost as bad. Getting on at 193 cuts the distance to the bridge on 495 north. At 123, it does not make much difference from just using the 267 to 495 exit.

[dictum9]

Originally Posted by spencgr

At the main Toll plaza, the rightmost "toll" lane actually takes you past the toll booth to the Spring Hill road exit. You still pay a toll here, but it's a dollar cheaper than the main toll. Then, follow directions above. (You will likely make up that dollar ans more getting on the express lanes.)

I see. Interesting to know.
You can also take 7 west (16B) and there is no toll there for the exit off 267... so you save the entire glorious "dollar".

[dictum9]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Correction: they are almost as bad. Getting on at 193 cuts the distance to the bridge on 495 north. At 123, it does not make much difference from just using the 267 to 495 exit.

You gain almost nothing by passing the 495, taking the 123 North exit - which is jammed almost as bad, but sometimes not, and then Balls Hill road to 193. Now at that junction there is a bottleneck from you-know-where. You still pay the toll and it's still a nightmare 90% of the time.

I much prefer taking 7 west, then right on Lewinsville road, then Swinks Mill road and right on 193. Time wise seems to take the same but you save all of glorious 2.50.

Bottom line, the design is very poor, that single lane mentioned in OP is just incredibly dumb.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by dictum9

You gain almost nothing by passing the 495, taking the 123 North exit - which is jammed almost as bad, but sometimes not, and then Balls Hill road to 193. Now at that junction there is a bottleneck from you-know-where. You still pay the toll and it's still a nightmare 90% of the time.

I much prefer taking 7 west, then right on Lewinsville road, then Swinks Mill road and right on 193. Time wise seems to take the same but you save all of glorious 2.50.

Bottom line, the design is very poor, that single lane mentioned in OP is just incredibly dumb.

Your route will take about 10 minutes longer that the Express Lane route. Cheaper, but longer. Pick your poison.

[dictum9]

where exactly do you get on Express Lane? I've never noticed the sign.

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by dictum9

where exactly do you get on Express Lane? I've never noticed the sign.

From Jones Branch Road - signs are clearly marked.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by dictum9

where exactly do you get on Express Lane? I've never noticed the sign.

No, you won't see the sign until you exit on Spring Hill and make the left on Jones Branch.

[LuvVA]

Originally Posted by JfromReston

These days if I need to go from 267 to I-495 North during rush hour I use the following route.

Exit 267 on Spring Hill - on the right just before the main toll plaza.
Go RIGHT on International
Go LEFT on Jones Branch
Go LEFT at sign for I-495 Express Lanes
Go LEFT at sign for I-495 North Express Lanes

This route can save a LOT of time!

I was doing this exact thing for a while until my route changed.

Sometimes, it's a challenge to merge onto left lanes to make left on Jones Branch. That intersection/light has design flaw or timing issue.