I-66 commute from Haymarket to Bethesda MD (Leesburg, Front Royal: rent, home)

[queenieblueeyes]

I teach school in Bethesda but can't afford Montgomery County. I have found a home outside of Haymarket. How congested is I-66E around 5:30 a.m.? Suggestions other than not buying in that area

[JfromReston]

That sounds like a brutal commute. Have you considered Frederick, MD or even just over the line in Pennsylvania.

[cathyatexit]

At 5:30 am you shouldn't run into too much traffic on 66. We live in Gainesville and I know several people that leave then to work or fly out of Dulles and generally move along. Of course, like anywhere else with an accident or icey conditions there will be a back-up. On this end of 66 (Rt. 29 and the Haymarket on ramps) they are widening 66 and it is near completion so that will make morning traffic move faster. They are also adding access roads from Rt 15 to Rt 29. However, you may hit traffic on 495 by the time you get there.

I'm not sure where near Haymarket you are considering, but if its north you could also take 15 towards Leesburg and go either 50 or 267 towards 495. From that area, there are ways around 66 if need be. They are expanding 15 as well for future commuting ease. Visit the VDOT website for updates on all phases of construction.

Haymarket is a lovely area. We chose the Gainesville/Haymarket area after much research on Northern Virginia a few years ago when we moved here from New England. It's growing but the infrastructure is catching up!

Good luck!

[dkf747]

You won't like the commute. Guaranteed.

[Commodore64]

This will be a commute from Hell. Forget about the I-495 interchange. You will never make it there. You will be snagged in Mannassas at 15/29, then again at 28, then again at 123. It will be 7AM before you see 495. Similar truths coming home. About the only way you could make that a worse commute is to live in Front Royal.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by dkf747

You won't like the commute. Guaranteed.

Agreed. It will also beat the crap out of your car and your sanity.

[HEATHER72]

Originally Posted by Commodore64

About the only way you could make that a worse commute is to live in Front Royal.

Heck, she might as well as move to West Virginia. That's a wayyyyyyyyyy too long commute from Haymarket to Bethesda.

[LVMYDACH]

I would consider moving somewhere in Maryland within a manageable commute to Bethesda. The commute from Haymarket to Bethesda would be absolutely awful. It's just to far - to many major roads to have to travel on to get there. You might have to downsize your planned living arrangements, but it might be worth it to save your sanity!

[knopfler]

You know, if you get to I-66 by 5:30am I don't think our reader will have much of a problem. By much of a problem, I'd say it'll take 75 minutes to get there.

Options would be finding a good carpooler buddy so you can take HOV, at least in the morning? Public transport really doesn't help with a Haymarket -> Bethesda commute.

[5stones]

look in MD...Gaithersburg, Frederick, etc...
HAYMARKET to Bethesda is CRAZY and you will be SPENDING any money you save on rent on GAS!!

LOOK ofr a SAMLLEr place closer to Bethesda.