Morning commute on Rt. 29 heading east (Arlington, Fairfax: how much, construction, living)

[Jremy]

I'm thinking of moving to Vienna and work in Arlington. Since only HOV-lane traffic is allowed on Rt. 66 heading east inside the beltway, I'm looking at taking Rt. 29 going east in the morning but don't know how congested it is. Has anyone driven that route in the morning? If so, what's the traffic like?

Thanks for your feedback.

[saganista]

Hundreds of times. It's generally a good route, but it depends on the area in Vienna you'd be coming from, where you are going, and what time you want to go.

[Jremy]

Originally Posted by saganista

Hundreds of times. It's generally a good route, but it depends on the area in Vienna you'd be coming from, where you are going, and what time you want to go.

Thanks. I'd be living just off Rt. 243 about one-half mile north of 66, so I'd have to head south on 243 and turn east on 29. It's the commute from there that I'm concerned about. I'd be leaving about 7:00 in the morning, maybe 7:15, and heading toward where I park, which is near the courthouse metro in Arlington.

[saganista]

That's earlier than I usually go, which in theory should be a good thing. There is the potential for delays due to construction in Merrifield, and again getting through downtown Falls Church. And you do have to stop if any of the traffic lights turns red as you approach. Otherwise, I doubt you'll have any major problems. I end up in Ballston and I usually make that in a pleasant enough 30 minutes or so.

[Jremy]

Thanks, Saganista. Do you travel from Vienna, too? Just curious how much of Rt. 29 you travel (i.e., how similar to my route).

[saganista]

Yes. I would hit Lee Highway somewhere between Nutley and Hilltop, depending on traffic, red lights, errands, or sometimes just how I feel like going on a given day.

[PennStateMark]

Originally Posted by Jremy

Thanks. I'd be living just off Rt. 243 about one-half mile north of 66, so I'd have to head south on 243 and turn east on 29. It's the commute from there that I'm concerned about. I'd be leaving about 7:00 in the morning, maybe 7:15, and heading toward where I park, which is near the courthouse metro in Arlington.

I take Rte. 29 from just outside of Fairfax Circle into DC, so, inclusive of your route, and at 7AM, you're looking at roughly 30 minutes to Courthouse. The worst bottlenecks right now are typically right around Gallows Rd. in Merrifield and Broad St. in Falls Church. The earlier the better but certainly manageable.