Is MapQuest commute time correct? (Leesburg, Herndon: how much, house, live in)

[movingtoVirginia]

From Purcellville to Herndon, Mapquest says 34 minutes/27 miles. Assuming I take the toll road and have easy access to/from the toll road, driving during rush hour....what is a "standard" time I could expect?

Also, Round Hill to Herndon says 36 minutes/29 miles. Is that time accurate?

We originally started our house search around the Sterling area, but decided we might like to go a bit further out to get more house for our money. We don't want to go too far out that we spend all day in the car! I can deal with the occasional commute time of an hour when traffic is really bad (accidents, etc.), but for the standard every-day commute, I'd like to keep it less than 45 min. if possible.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[lqda4]

I compared Mapquest with Maps.google.com using my commute. Google seems to be more realistic during rush hour.

[Yankeesfan]

No, Mapquest times are accurate only during non-rush hour times. I don't live in the area you mentioned so I can't tell you how much to add but I'm guessing you'll have to add quite a bit. I'm sure there are other posters who can estimate how much.

[NOVAmtneer82]

I'm not completely sure either but A LOT of commuters come from western Loudoun to jobs in Fairfax County. I think its safe to say you probably won't make it in 45 minutes on a regular day, an hour would probably be more realistic (in peak rush that is). The general rule in this area is to take your miles and multiply them by at least 2 and that should give you a fairly accurate drive time. I'm sure there are some Loudouners on here that can give you a more accurate time but I know it takes several people at work an hour to make it to Tysons from Leesburg which is similar mileage.

[dullnboring]

I've found that rush hour commuting times are generally at least 1.5 times the non-rush hour times listed on Mapquest, and oftentimes, twice as long. There are exceptions of course. If right be the Toll Road, you can shave some time off. I'm not too familiar with coming from Purcellville or Round Hill but I would guess both would run 45-60 minutes.

[5stones]

don't go out as far as Round Hill. no shopping etc... you have to go to Purceville for everything.
Don't go out to Luckettes either, traffic on the 15 bypass is a nightmare! plus no shopping either. you have to come into Leesburg ofr everything.

Stay with Leesburg and Purceville. On the toll rd from purceville to Herndon would be about 45 min avg. 30-40 minutes on good days and probably summer. But it gets expensive. That is the most expensive section of the road. (Leesburg to Dullas) $3.50 each way. another .50 (i think) into Herndon.

Route 7 is give or take depending on time....at 6:30am you could get into Herndon from Leesburg in 30minutes so Purceville will probably be 40 min.
sometimes you get lucky and get all the lights just right....30minutes!