I 66 - Is this really HOV one way? (Arlington, Alexandria: quality of life, exemption)

[labratinaz]

We are moving to NOVA and have HEARD that I66 is HOV going into DC within the loop and we have HEARD that I66 is completely multi-passenger during the morning going into and out of DC.

VDOT website said the I66 is HOV within the beltway only.

Question: is this during just rush hour?
Question: Can this be real? What if you are a single driver going to a meeting in DC from Fairfax? What other choices do you have?

Just what is the info on the I66 going from Fairfax into DC??


Please advise.

Thanks so much!!

[lqda4]

In the morning, Eastbound:
Left lane is HOV. Once you pass the beltway all lanes are HOV.

In the evening, Westbound:
All lanes are HOV from DC, until you pass the beltway then left lane is HOV.

During rush hours, they also open up the shoulder lanes. Look for the green LED sign.

If you need to get to DC during rush hours, you could take the beltway inner loop to GW parkway, or take 50 East. Depending on where you live, you could also take 7100 south to 95 then 395 into DC.

[Zack]

Just take 50 or Lee Hwy, neither are too bad; GW is hit or miss. Another alternative is park and take the orange line, you'll probably get where you're going faster than trying to drive solo.

The reason it's HOV only is part of the agreement with Arlington was to make the highway only 2 lanes each way, so the only way to keep the road moving at rush hour is to make it HOV.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by labratinaz

We are moving to NOVA and have HEARD that I66 is HOV going into DC within the loop and we have HEARD that I66 is completely multi-passenger during the morning going into and out of DC.

VDOT website said the I66 is HOV within the beltway only.

Question: is this during just rush hour?
Question: Can this be real? What if you are a single driver going to a meeting in DC from Fairfax? What other choices do you have?

Just what is the info on the I66 going from Fairfax into DC??


Please advise.

Thanks so much!!

An addendum to lqda4's accurate reply:

If you are a single driver going into a meeting in DC, you wouldn't drive all the way into DC. You'd stop at a Metro station and take public transportation to your destination. Or, you'd take a Metro direct bus service like the Loudoun Connector or OmniRide. Or, perhaps, you'd find a vanpool or other such carpool arrangement. Single-person driving all the way into the District from Fairfax during HOV hours is bloody murder, and you'd learn pretty quickly that it's not to be done.

Welcome to Northern Virginia!

[Lostinnova]

What about a pilot trying to get to DCA for work? 66 would be the logical way for me. (Relocating in the next 6-9 months). It's not realistic to find a ride share as my schedule varies widely and changes monthly.

[gomason]

Originally Posted by Lostinnova

What about a pilot trying to get to DCA for work? 66 would be the logical way for me. (Relocating in the next 6-9 months). It's not realistic to find a ride share as my schedule varies widely and changes monthly.

Nope. There is only an exemption for people going to and from Dulles Airport.

Take 50 instead inside the beltway. It will add 5-10 mins max to your commute.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by Lostinnova

What about a pilot trying to get to DCA for work? 66 would be the logical way for me. (Relocating in the next 6-9 months). It's not realistic to find a ride share as my schedule varies widely and changes monthly.

Why not live in Arlington near DCA and avoid the commuting problem entirely?

[MedvedActual]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

Why not live in Arlington near DCA and avoid the commuting problem entirely?

Or Alexandria... With the way traffic is around this area, I would strongly recommend living closer to work, if you have that option. Spending hours in traffic daily is not fun at all and given your frequently changing schedule as you pointed out, you will have to constantly guess how bad traffic is heading to work, thus trying to leave earlier than you would if you lived closer. Bottom line is that the quality of life decreases with increased commuting distance. Just my opinion.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by MedvedActual

Or Alexandria... With the way traffic is around this area, I would strongly recommend living closer to work, if you have that option. Spending hours in traffic daily is not fun at all and given your frequently changing schedule as you pointed out, you will have to constantly guess how bad traffic is heading to work, thus trying to leave earlier than you would if you lived closer. Bottom line is that the quality of life decreases with increased commuting distance. Just my opinion.

Unless it's Del Ray or the northern tip of Potomac Yard, Alexandria would still be more of a hassle than Arl. near the airport. Traffic on Rte 1 is worsening and there are multiple stop lights. And, there may be a noise issue; flights are routed nearer to Alex than Arl for abatement. Old Town enables one to use GW Pkwy but there are still rush hour stoplight delays in Old Town.

Of course, the pilot could live near the Eisenhower or other metro stop and metro to the airport.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

And, there may be a noise issue; flights are routed nearer to Alex than Arl for abatement. Old Town enables one to use GW Pkwy but there are still rush hour stoplight delays in Old Town.
.

I could be mistaken, but I doubt a commercial pilot is bothered by plane noise.