We're #1! Worst traffic in America so says the Post (Woodbridge: how much, home)

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by terrence81

I totally agree. We have roughly the same metro population as Atlanta but their highways are light years ahead of VA. Northern Virginia alone has 2,000,000 plus all the commuters that come in from the District and Maryland how in the world can having 2 and 3 lane highways be justified. They should've been expanded decades ago!

And that's considering the 2 and 3 lane highways. Have you ever seen how traffic backs up on the 2 lane country roads with cars traveling between PW County and Fairfax County? I'm thinking of those from Manassas through Clifton. I'm sure there are other examples.

[Fern435]

Unfortunately, it's about to get even more crowded here. BRAC brings new people to Fort Belvoir and the new Mark Center off 395 soon. These roads are not set up for moving the massive numbers of people.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by beatlecrazy

I agree with everyone too. It is such a transient community. We moved in 2005, so I guess a little bit before the recession. My husband moved because of his job, and I just wanted to get away from the Philly area. He didn't like Maryland too much, and he really didn't want to live in DC, so we moved to Manassas. Traffic around suburban Philadelphia is just as heinous, IMHO. It would take me just as long to get to work as it does here, but that area is less transient.

When me and my old man went up to Philly a couple months we got caught in rush hour traffic. I'm sorry but to me the traffic in Philly was a nuisance but nothing like 66 or the beltway. Or better yet the 14th street bridge on a Tuesday afternoon with no AC in the summer time.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

And that's considering the 2 and 3 lane highways. Have you ever seen how traffic backs up on the 2 lane country roads with cars traveling between PW County and Fairfax County? I'm thinking of those from Manassas through Clifton. I'm sure there are other examples.

Not really I'm not usually out that way during rush hour. But when I lived in Fairfax county I do remember how bad the traffic was on regular roads. Going to the Giant in Oakton took 20 minutes despite being 1.5 miles from the condo I was staying in at the time.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by terrence81

When me and my old man went up to Philly a couple months we got caught in rush hour traffic. I'm sorry but to me the traffic in Philly was a nuisance but nothing like 66 or the beltway. Or better yet the 14th street bridge on a Tuesday afternoon with no AC in the summer time.

Philly could use more/widened highways...but yes, even on its worst days, a Philly traffic is only an above-average day in NOVA.

Of course, I-95 is the Great Equalizer!

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by terrence81

I posted this on the DC forum but figured I'd post here as well. Since most folks say that traffic is worse on the VA side of things than MD.

Any theories as to why traffic is just so gosh darned bad here?

I have a few but figured I'd ask y'all.

Washington area tied with Chicago for traffic congestion, study finds

I'll tell you in four words:

Too many d^$# drivers!!!!!!!!

That is basically what it comes down to. Mass transit options which are more costly and less convenient for some commuters also plays a part.

[beatlecrazy]

Originally Posted by terrence81

When me and my old man went up to Philly a couple months we got caught in rush hour traffic. I'm sorry but to me the traffic in Philly was a nuisance but nothing like 66 or the beltway. Or better yet the 14th street bridge on a Tuesday afternoon with no AC in the summer time.

Well, I meant the 'burbs of Philly, not the city itself. I lived about 15 mins from Philly in a small suburb, and it took me over an hour to get to work every day, when the trip should only have been 20 minutes. I never went into the city for much, except leisure trips. Schuylkill Expressway is pretty bad/unsafe, but I meant the suburbs.

[dkf747]

Everyone is making this seem like a recent phenomenon. Taffic in this area has been awful for years. We've been #2 for a long time now. It was only a matter of time until we hit #1.

[chillgreens]

As far as Northern Virginia traffic goes: It's because there is only ONE freeway (Meaning FREE, and without lights) in the entire region. I-66. And we all know about how lovely a commute is on 66... Otherwise, its just 7 and the Dulles Toll Road. Many people I know refuse to take the toll road, which leaves 7 which is chock full of lights. I'm not sure why they refuse to build another freeway. My reccomendation is to take out the tolls on 267 (maybe make it a spur route of 66?) and I promise traffic would be much better around here.

[guyincognito]

Originally Posted by chillgreens

As far as Northern Virginia traffic goes: It's because there is only ONE freeway (Meaning FREE, and without lights) in the entire region. I-66. And we all know about how lovely a commute is on 66... Otherwise, its just 7 and the Dulles Toll Road. Many people I know refuse to take the toll road, which leaves 7 which is chock full of lights. I'm not sure why they refuse to build another freeway. My reccomendation is to take out the tolls on 267 (maybe make it a spur route of 66?) and I promise traffic would be much better around here.

Actually there's 4 free interstates - I-66, I-95, I-395, and I-495. VA-267 IS a freeway, despite having a toll. 28 and the George Washington Parkway are also mostly freeway.

The toll road has more traffic than it can handle during rush hour already, so I don't see what removing tolls would do for you.