Trying to figure out the bus routes

[dkf747]

Let me try this: 4501 N Pershing Dr. to Barton St & 14th st N. Let''s see if I can find the nearest bus stops.

1st place I looked was: Metro - Rider Tools - Trip Planner though I prefer: Metro - Mobile Services


the results came up saying "walk 0.19 miles to..." On the right it said "get directions" which I clicked on. The next page gave directions to the first stop. Right there was a link that said "view on map" which I clicked on. Voila! A map showing exactly where the stop was showed up! I got the bus number by going back to the original results.

Now that I know where it was and the bus number, I went to Nextbus here: NextBus Route Selector and looked for the bus route (in this case 4b).

I found 4b and clicked on it, then chose towards Rosslyn. I knew it, but there are only 2 directions so you got a 50% chance of getting it right. I found the stop by name rather than number (2nd st N & Henderson Rd) and clicked on it. Up came the stop information and when the next bus was coming.

The maps on the timetables do suck, so you could go here: Metro - Bus - Maps to view a larger map that may, or may not be, easier to read.

The above also worked at the other end of my route with a link to "get directions" with a further link to a map. You try it with the info I put in for address or intersection or substitute another address or intersection and give it a try and see if it helps.

[slowlane3]

Also you need to click on this link Fairfax Connector*- Fairfax County, Virginia

[FindingZen]

The strategy I've always used for buses is to take a look at the schedule(s) and figure out where my stop is between the two landmarks listed before and after me. Then I would "guesstimate" when I would need to be out at my stop after the previous landmark's arrival time. You could probably figure out the distance by driving, as you had planned, between the two landmarks.