Commute to Fairfax/Alexandria from Dumfries (Springfield, Mount Vernon: house, schools, live)

[Ranae319]

Hi, Im a Teacher who recently bought a house in Dumfries and plan to switch schools to FCPS or Alexandria City schools. I know South County is closest in Lorton, but I'd like to get an average commute time for:
Lee HS, Edison, Hayfield SS and Mount Vernon HS in FCPS and Geo Washington, F Hammond, Minnie Howard & T C Williams in Alexandria City Schools.

I'd be interested in routes outside of I-95, even if distance is further. My main concern is slow/no movement of traffic rather than a nice flow, regardless of timeframe. Distance in miles is far less than I've commuted in Florida on I-95, but, without accidents, it was continual movement.

I'm just looking for average commute times and alternate routes so I can adjust my "leave home time" accordingly. I appreciate all responses. Thank you!

[Fredesch]

Concentrate on getting a job at South County or Hayfield, that will be a doable commute. Everywhere else will be painful or too expensive commute for a teacher. My wife works near Mount Vernon HS and we live 2 miles from the Braddock Road entrance on 495, her minimum commute time is 35 minutes.

[Ranae319]

Thank you so much, that gives me a good perspective on the commute situation. I appreciate it!

[tgbwc]

I used to drive from near Montclair to a school near West Springfield HS. Leaving at 7 a.m. it would usually take about 40 minutes. I would take Spriggs Rd, Minnieville, Old Bridge, 123, Hooes to the Parkway. It was about 16 miles. Going home I would try to leave around 3:30 and would usually take 123 to 95 and exit at 152.

South County would probably shorten that by about 10-15 minutes.

[Ranae319]

Thank you, that was the route I saw on Yahoo maps that seemed to be the best to take. I have an interview at George Washington MS but it may be a bit too far to make the commute reasonable for a whole school year. What do you think? Is there an alternate route other than I-95 or US 1 that would make the commute do-able? I wouldn't mind leaving as early as 6:30 am.

[Grsz11]

Anywhere in Alexandria would require 95 or Route 1, which are both bad. Curious are you switching from PWCS? FCPS has really been unfriendly to its teachers in recent years and the board just gave themselves 60% raises. But that's a separate issue.

For schools, look at something that can take you up 123, whichever would be the South County, Lake Braddock, Robinson zones.

[Ranae319]

Thank you.... Robinson SS was another school I was looking at. Yes, I'm planning to switch districts as PWCS has the same issue plus a few more! Of course, there are issues everywhere but some are easier to digest than others. PWCS is not out of the mix, however, I'm only looking at schools away from the route 1 corridor. Thanks for your response.