Wishful thinking: Anyone know of a good route from Alexandria to Fairfax? (Annandale: live in, reverse commute) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

discreetthinker · 04-20-2017, 07:08 AM

I work in fairfax but live in Alexandria. I live right off of Duke street, and instead of taking 495, I've been taking the back roads. The place I work is on Lee Highway...by Nutley. I have been Going through Annandale Road and Columbia Pile and Gallows. It's smooth sailing until I turn into Gallows and Annandale Road. Does anyone know another alternative way that's faster? Or can one only hope?
It gets bad because I have to take the exit to get to Lee highway and that's where alll the tysons traffic is.

Was wondering if there is another way. I was hoping back roads would be better.

boyd888 · 04-20-2017, 07:24 AM

The beltway is fastest. You could try going up to 66 west and then Nutley down...or the HOT lanes if you have money to burn.

LakeLifePA · 04-20-2017, 07:39 AM

That's a tough route, and any alternate back road route you take is going to be painful since everyone is trying to find the best route as well. Have you tried Waze? I use it (I have a reverse commute to yours) and it's helpful for up to date traffic changes. I take 495 but am going the opposite way that you are, and it's not nearly has bad as what you have to endure as I've witnessed during my commute.

Obviously, the 495 HOT lanes would be the best. I commuted on a motorcycle for three years and used the HOT lanes for free. Not many people know that motorcycles are free for HOT lanes. I don't know if that's an option for you, but if I were in your shoes that's what I would do. They didn't save me much time in my commute (due to a stop light at Leesburg Pike rather than an off ramp and the fact that I couldn't flow much faster than normal traffic on 495 unless there was an accident), but for you it would be a significant advantage due to the congestion on 495 during your commute.

robbobobbo · 04-20-2017, 11:22 AM

I think anything other than your current route or 395 S from Duke, to 495 to Merrifield is going to be more circuitous and take longer. I used to use Lincolnia, Columbia Pike, Sleepy Hollow, Kerns Rd to get to Falls Church at 50 and Annandale Rd, and it would be possible to modify that some to take Graham Rd to 29, but like I said, quite a round-about way of doing things.

kevinm · 04-20-2017, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discreetthinker

I work in fairfax but live in Alexandria. I live right off of Duke street, and instead of taking 495, I've been taking the back roads. The place I work is on Lee Highway...by Nutley. I have been Going through Annandale Road and Columbia Pile and Gallows. It's smooth sailing until I turn into Gallows and Annandale Road. Does anyone know another alternative way that's faster? Or can one only hope?
It gets bad because I have to take the exit to get to Lee highway and that's where alll the tysons traffic is.

Was wondering if there is another way. I was hoping back roads would be better.

Little River Turnpike/Duke Street to Prosperity Ave to Lee Hwy to Nutley

discreetthinker · 04-20-2017, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinm

Little River Turnpike/Duke Street to Prosperity Ave to Lee Hwy to Nutley

I was thinking of trying that. I was hesitant because of the 7 mile drive through all the lights but maybe it's better than what I'm doing?

discreetthinker · 04-20-2017, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert20170

That's a tough route, and any alternate back road route you take is going to be painful since everyone is trying to find the best route as well. Have you tried Waze? I use it (I have a reverse commute to yours) and it's helpful for up to date traffic changes. I take 495 but am going the opposite way that you are, and it's not nearly has bad as what you have to endure as I've witnessed during my commute.

Obviously, the 495 HOT lanes would be the best. I commuted on a motorcycle for three years and used the HOT lanes for free. Not many people know that motorcycles are free for HOT lanes. I don't know if that's an option for you, but if I were in your shoes that's what I would do. They didn't save me much time in my commute (due to a stop light at Leesburg Pike rather than an off ramp and the fact that I couldn't flow much faster than normal traffic on 495 unless there was an accident), but for you it would be a significant advantage due to the congestion on 495 during your commute.

Thank you! I'll look into the HOT lane thing. I haven't thought of that! I don't have a motorcycle though haha.

lchoro · 04-20-2017, 03:29 PM

West on Little River Turnpike.

Right at Pickett Road (across from Woodson High)

Go about 150 degrees around Fairfax Circle. There will be two roads (50 and Lee Hwy) heading east from the circle. Route 50 will at about 90 degrees.

Turn on to the second road heading NE to Nutley Street about two blocks down.

jeff22152 · 04-21-2017, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discreetthinker

I work in fairfax but live in Alexandria. I live right off of Duke street, and instead of taking 495, I've been taking the back roads. The place I work is on Lee Highway...by Nutley. I have been Going through Annandale Road and Columbia Pile and Gallows. It's smooth sailing until I turn into Gallows and Annandale Road. Does anyone know another alternative way that's faster? Or can one only hope?
It gets bad because I have to take the exit to get to Lee highway and that's where alll the tysons traffic is.

Was wondering if there is another way. I was hoping back roads would be better.

This is the type of commute where the Beltway might be the fastest, but there are lots of different back ways to go if there's a problem on I-495. I think Waze would be particularly beneficial to this commute, since the quickest route (both to and from Fairfax) may differ daily.

EdwardA · 04-27-2017, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discreetthinker

I work in fairfax but live in Alexandria. I live right off of Duke street, and instead of taking 495, I've been taking the back roads. The place I work is on Lee Highway...by Nutley. I have been Going through Annandale Road and Columbia Pile and Gallows. It's smooth sailing until I turn into Gallows and Annandale Road. Does anyone know another alternative way that's faster? Or can one only hope?
It gets bad because I have to take the exit to get to Lee highway and that's where alll the tysons traffic is.

Was wondering if there is another way. I was hoping back roads would be better.

Make the same commute. Waze almost always says to use the Beltway. I don't even use Waze in the morning since it's become so repetitive.