Commute from DC to Merrifield/Fairfax in AM? 66? 50? (Idylwood, Falls Church: home, live in)

[mdro]

Hi All,

I know there are a few topics going back on similar questions, but nothing feels like having your own question answered-- I live in NW DC, and am considering taking a job right at the 495/66 junction in Merrifield- can anyone comment on the route/commute time? Google maps says it should be 30 minutes via 66, but I'm sure that's underestimating it with traffic and all, even in the morning. Coming home from the interview during rush hour took me about 45, because traffic gets bogged down around arlington. Can I expect the same in the morning? Is it even worse?

I can also get to 50 pretty quick, but figure that may slow down because of the lights. Anyone do a similar commute in the morning? Thanks for your help.

[saganista]

They should both be pretty good, though not as good as they used to be. Afternoons will be worse -- you probably don't want to get on 66 eastbound outside of Falls Church on account of the 267 merge backup. Gallows south to Lee Highway east will get you to 66 in Falls Church pretty easily.

Depending on where you are in NW, another option might be Chain Bridge to 123-South, then wind along the eastern edge of Tysons and over the "secret bridge" leading to Gallows south straight into Merrifield. Or skip Tysons by taking 123-S only to Great Falls to Magarity to Pimmit to Idylwood to Gallows.

Of course, if the office really is right at 66/495, so is the Dunn Loring Metro station.