best way to commute to DC (Alexandria, Manassas: house, living in, cost)

[mamaplaysflute]

My husband just got a job in DC with the Federal Government. We are currently living in Lovettsville but are in the process (very beginning stage) of house hunting in MD (between the Shady Grove metro and Frederick). If for some reason we aren't able to make the move before he starts his job what would his best options be for commuting into DC from here? He may be working on weekends/holidays and his shifts would probably vary as to days he works and hours. He is willing to consider any options.

[snowdenscold]

Where in DC? You can get commuter buses from out in Leesburg and take them all the way into the city (or to the Silver/Orange line metro stops). For the amount that gas, wear/tear and possibly the Greenway + DTR would cost you, it's probably worth it not to be in the car forever.

http://www.loudoun.gov/index.aspx?NID=228

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by mamaplaysflute

My husband just got a job in DC with the Federal Government. We are currently living in Lovettsville but are in the process (very beginning stage) of house hunting in MD (between the Shady Grove metro and Frederick). If for some reason we aren't able to make the move before he starts his job what would his best options be for commuting into DC from here? He may be working on weekends/holidays and his shifts would probably vary as to days he works and hours. He is willing to consider any options.

That commute is going to be awful if he drives to work--which, based on schedule, sounds like what he's planning on. If he's working in DC itself, I would recommend living almost anyplace other than the 270 corridor. Nothing but miles and miles of cars at a near-standstill every morning and afternoon. The nether parts of Alexandria are relatively affordable.

[spencgr]

I hope is DC office is near Metro. He would likely need to take the MARC in from Point of Rocks and Metro to his office.

On off hours, he will need to drive. Since it is off hours, it will still be long, but hopefully not tedious.

[newvadad]

Maryland has some nice places up there. I lived in Clarksburg for a while and we spent a lot of time in Damascus, Hayattstown and Urbana. You have some options up there including buses from a park and ride and Marc rail, which was very unreliable IMO. The commute on 270 is as tenuous as the 66/267 commute. One person breaks down, one drop of rain, one flake of snow and you're screwed because the region loses it's collective mind.

As far as Lovettsville goes, you can zip up to Brunswick or Point of Rocks and try Marc train but again, it's very unreliable because the Brunswick line is the "step-child" of the system. The buses from Leesburg and the rest of Loudoun might be the best bet during the week and driving as little as possible would be my best advice. It being the fed gov, you will get commuting money so try to take advantage of it.

[NC211]

Everyone that I've known who used the bus service had nothing but great things to say about it too. Free wifi, comfy seats, dependable, no stress, etc. I'd give that try from Leesburg to see if he likes it. If he does, it might take a little longer, but might be worth the extra time to stay where you are (if you like it) and not do the move in general! We have some neighbors who work for the government (I'm in Ashburn) who use the bus service. They love it, said it makes downtown DC easily doable.

What your husband (and you) don't want, is to be locked in that I270 spur traffic twice a day. not a good thing!

[gomason]

I'll assume he'll be working the L'Enfant area since that's where most Fed employees work in DC and you didn't say exactly where. If that's true, and you are on a budget/like living that far out, I would look at some areas that are near VRE like Manassas, Bristow, Rippon, Quantico, etc.

I don't really understand why you would move to that part of MD. MARC doesn't have any stops in DC besides Union Station, unless that's where he's working. And driving from Montgomery County into downtown DC is a pain in the ass. There are no major highways.

[mamaplaysflute]

Thank you all for you help! We have already ruled out the MARC from Brunswick (we're currently only 3 miles from there) as it is not only unreliable but has a very, very limited schedule to and from DC. He took the bus from Harmony Church in for his interview and was pleased with the way that went. So it looks like until we can find a place closer in that we can afford (we have done some preliminary research into what's available in the Fairfax area - where our sons live- and that's not an option). On the days he works "off" shifts he'll drive since traffic shouldn't be too much of a problem. Tyson's metro is another option he's looking at, using the bus to get there. He is getting a commuter subsidy so that should take care of some of the cost. Again, many thanks to all of you that took the time to help!

[Lemming95]

There is going to be a new VRE station in Dumfries soon and of course there is a station in Woodbridge. And there are sluglines in Woodbridge that drop off downtown.