The merge from 267 to I-495 North in rush hour

[dkf747]

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.

That's what I was saying. The Swinks Mill route lets you feel like you are getting somewhere, even if it doesn't make much difference. That feeling is the difference. That and the $1.50 saved.

[dictum9]

Originally Posted by dkf747

That's what I was saying. The Swinks Mill route lets you feel like you are getting somewhere, even if it doesn't make much difference. That feeling is the difference. That and the $1.50 saved.

Two fifty. The last toll before beltway charges $2.50 and the exit on 7 west lets you avoid it, it has no toll at all, not even $1. Figure 50 bucks per month saved.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by dictum9

Two fifty. The last toll before beltway charges $2.50 and the exit on 7 west lets you avoid it, it has no toll at all, not even $1. Figure 50 bucks per month saved.

Right. I usually use Spring Hill to Lewinsville so I only save a $1.50.

[snowdenscold]

Originally Posted by dictum9

Two fifty. The last toll before beltway charges $2.50 and the exit on 7 west lets you avoid it, it has no toll at all, not even $1. Figure 50 bucks per month saved.

If you exit Route 267 directly onto Swinks Mill (between Route 7 and the main toll plaza), there is a $1 toll. If you go the more round-about way you describe, and take 7 West to Lewsinville and cut back, there's no toll, but it takes a couple extra minutes.

I only see that trade-off being worthwhile heading east on 267, because if you try to do the reverse you would have to turn left from Lewinsville to Route 7 east, which would be a very long light.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by snowdenscold

If you exit Route 267 directly onto Swinks Mill (between Route 7 and the main toll plaza), there is a $1 toll. If you go the more round-about way you describe, and take 7 West to Lewsinville and cut back, there's no toll, but it takes a couple extra minutes.

I only see that trade-off being worthwhile heading east on 267, because if you try to do the reverse you would have to turn left from Lewinsville to Route 7 east, which would be a very long light.

That's Spring Hill Rd. not Swink's Mill Rd.

[snowdenscold]

Originally Posted by dkf747

That's Spring Hill Rd. not Swink's Mill Rd.

Correct, thank you. Too late to be able to edit. Overall point is unchanged though.

[hertfordshire]

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!

(Dredging up an old post ...) I tried this route this morning, and I'm not really sure it saved me a lot of time. I just traded time on 495 with time waiting at 3 of the 6 stoplights. Not worth the expense, to me.

[FCNova]

I don't go this route but on occasion I take 267 to 495 south during evening rush hour. And wow, the 495 N exit is always completely stopped. Looks absolutely brutal. I don't know how people could do that on a daily basis.