Commute to Quantico from Sterling/Dulles

[Caladium]

I don't know the answer, but this sounds like a horrible commute. It would have to be one helluva job offer to make it worthwhile, IMO.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

FFX Cty Pkway to 123, then 95. Maybe Dulles is a more direct shot somehow?

I know Reston is large when it comes to mailing addresses but that certainly seems a long ways around for Quantico. Guess it just depends from where though.

[hilsmom]

we live in north reston, right next door to town of herndon and just south of lowes island/cascades. Our house is right between reston parkway and fairfax county parkway. It was the most direct route he could find.

[michgc]

Someone above said it would be an extra $150 per week. That is before taxes. Take out about 25% of that (or whatever your tax rate is). Now we're down to about $110 extra per week. I think you'd have to factor about $10 per day for gas if not more depending on how good your truck is on gas mileage. So now we're down to about $60 extra per week for an additional 10 hours of driving, not to mention wear and tear on your car and on your soul. Unless this bump in grade will make a huge difference in your life down the line or if this commute would be short-lived, I cannot see how it would be remotely worth it.

[South Jersey Styx]

Maybe negotiate at least 1-day per week to work at home? Would cut down on the traveling.

[michgc]

One other small expense I thought of - if your commute changes dramatically, it could change your car insurance rates slightly. It probably wouldn't be that much, but thought I'd throw that out there.

[Bigfoot424]

With this talk of gas prices possibly going as high as $5 a gallon my one hour commute to Front Royal in my truck is going to hurt. I don't sit in any traffic but an hour one way will suck.

[mptesta]

After thinking it over and crunching numbers, I have decided to decline this job offer. If I took this new job, over the course of the next three years I would get my step increases and make another $7k but I would be paying more out pocket for commuting expenses so the extra pay would zero out after I account for my expenses. For career move, I am looking to flee the DC area in another 4 to 5 years so I'm sure other opportunities will pop up....DoD govie jobs usually are robust enough to withstand any sort of major cutback or feel the effects of a recession. Bigfoot also makes a good point, I don't think we will see the days of cheap gas anymore.

[hilsmom]

Originally Posted by mptesta

After thinking it over and crunching numbers, I have decided to decline this job offer. If I took this new job, over the course of the next three years I would get my step increases and make another $7k but I would be paying more out pocket for commuting expenses so the extra pay would zero out after I account for my expenses. For career move, I am looking to flee the DC area in another 4 to 5 years so I'm sure other opportunities will pop up....DoD govie jobs usually are robust enough to withstand any sort of major cutback or feel the effects of a recession. Bigfoot also makes a good point, I don't think we will see the days of cheap gas anymore.

I think this was a very good call. My husband is mulling a job change with the goal of leaving this area, but I think we need to stay here a few more years and have him pad his resume a little more with needed skills. I don't know if he would consider going back down to Quantico if the gov't folks he worked with asked him back. With gas prices set to soar, I like him just where he is in Ashburn. I'm planning to cut my "in office" days, as well, to save on gas. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it definitely adds up over time.

[bbudb]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

FFX Cty Pkway to 123, then 95. Maybe Dulles is a more direct shot somehow?

This is the best route. Especially early in the morning. It just depends on the time you leave in the morning.