Fastest way to get from DC to George Mason University (Fairfax: live, move)

[rspil]

Hey all...
Pretty general question...what's the quickest way to get from NW DC (American University in particular) to George Mason University on a Friday at approximately 5:00pm (I know there's no real "quick" way, but something under an hour and a half would be wonderful)

I know one option is to take Chain Bridge (123) to the GW Parkway to 495 to 66 to 123. The only thing that scares me about that is that I know GW, 495, and 66 are going to be absolutely packed.

The other option would be to simply take 123 all the way there. Not sure what the traffic is like or how long that might take, so I was wondering if anyone had any expert opinions.

Thanks!

[claremarie]

The other option is the Braddock Road exit from 495. You can get there by taking Chain Bridge to 123 to the GW Parkway to 495 to Braddock Road.

OR you could take 123 just past the GW Parkway exit to Kirby Road (@ Exxon station), follow Kirby (it changes names to Idylwood at Great Falls St.) to Route 7, turn left and then an immediate right on 66 to 495, then take the Braddock Road west exit.

I live near Kirby Road, and have taken swimmers to GMU at many hours of the day via the Braddock Road route.

[saganista]

Could also just stay on Idyllwood out to Cedar Lane. Turn left there down to a right onto Lee Highway. Go halfway around Fairfax Circle to pick up Old Lee Highway, then take that just past the merge with 236 in Fairfax City and hang a left onto University Drive. A couple of stop signs, and there's the GMU campus. Might not be any faster, but it has advantages in being a more stress-free option, and it keeps you away from the chance of losing 30 minutes because of some fender-bender on the main drags...

[If you actually did this, it might pay to cut out the left off of Idyllwood. It can be a tough turn in rush hour. You could do that by veering right off Idyllwood onto Helena a little before the bridge over 495. The first right and then the first left would put you on Oak Street. Follow that to the light at Gallows, and simply go straight across onto Cedar Lane. You can then laugh at the people waiting to turn left off Idyllwood as you drive by...]

[Caladium]

Taking 123 all the way there is going to be slow slow slow. Any other way would be better.

[HarryLou]

I would take Rt 50 (Constitution Avenue, across Roosevelt Bridge) all the way to Fairfax City. At Fairfax Circle, take Rt 237 South -- think it is called Old Lee Hwy. This goes to Rt. 123, 2 or 3 miles at most. I think you can make a left turn onto 123. At that point you're just down the road from GMU. I know this sounds like the scenic route, but it keeps you off 495 and 66. At 5 pm on Friday, "quick" doesn't exist I don't think.

[Caladium]

That works! Good suggestion

[clarksonknight]

Originally Posted by HarryLou

I would take Rt 50 (Constitution Avenue, across Roosevelt Bridge) all the way to Fairfax City. At Fairfax Circle, take Rt 237 South -- think it is called Old Lee Hwy. This goes to Rt. 123, 2 or 3 miles at most. I think you can make a left turn onto 123. At that point you're just down the road from GMU. I know this sounds like the scenic route, but it keeps you off 495 and 66. At 5 pm on Friday, "quick" doesn't exist I don't think.

I second this route. 50 might move a little slowly as you get near 495, but after that it's not too bad.

[springfieldva]

You can also take rte 29 out of DC. I've done it before coming back from the zoo, but not during rush hour.