Commuting from Vienna (Arlington, Springfield, Leesburg: house, live in, gas)

[newtoDC30]

I'm commuting to DC (M and 20th) and have tried both the metro and driving into DC. Contrary to what I've been told the drive has only taken me 35 mintues in the morning (I leave my house at 7:15 AM). I've been taking the beltway up to GW parkway and that seems to work out pretty nice. The drive home has been a different story...seems to take about an hour. I typically leave work between 5:30 and 6PM. I was wondering what folks thought was the best route to drive into DC and back home to Vienna/Merrifield. Thanks!

[saganista]

Just getting out of DC can be the worst of it in the evening. Once you do, both Lee Highway and Route-50 are at least viable options. Something else to try would be the Whitehurst Freeway around Georgetown, then left and left again onto Canal Road. Off to Chain Bridge, then right onto 123-South. You just need to get off of that before you reach Vienna...there are several options for doing that...

[handy man88]

Originally Posted by newtoDC30

I'm commuting to DC (M and 20th) and have tried both the metro and driving into DC. Contrary to what I've been told the drive has only taken me 35 mintues in the morning (I leave my house at 7:15 AM). I've been taking the beltway up to GW parkway and that seems to work out pretty nice. The drive home has been a different story...seems to take about an hour. I typically leave work between 5:30 and 6PM. I was wondering what folks thought was the best route to drive into DC and back home to Vienna/Merrifield. Thanks!

Time it just right to get on I66 right after HOV rules expire. I think it's 6:30pm. Once you get on 66, you can head straight to Nutley or Leesburg Pike exit.

[NOVAmtneer82]

Evenings always seem to take much longer, it is a mystery. But that's impressive that you can make it to DC from Vienna in 35 minutes in the AM, I live in Arlington and everytime I commute into DC to visit clients it usually takes me half an hour.

Ditto what handy man said, wait on 66 until the HOV restrictions expire. If you can hit the road just then, its pretty smooth sailing outbound until you get near the Beltway.

[saganista]

Timing the HOV on 66 works even better in the morning (ends at 9:00) when you can lurk in the vicinity of Idylwood and Route-7 until 8:59, then whip around the corner and have pretty much a traffic-free, speed-limit run as far as whichever bridge you want to use. The evening isn't as consistent. Precise timing isn't as important, as HOV enforcement is pretty much at the exits inside the Beltway, but you are still liable to encounter backups at Glebe Road, at Sycamore Street, and at the 267 cut-off. Still, if time-shifting to a 9:30-6:00 workday were possible, 66 would be a good option. Not as good as Metro, of course...especially if your employer participates in Metro's SmartBenefits program (picks up the first $115 of monthly fares, tax-free)...but still better than what most people who drive have to deal with...

[newtoDC30]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've tried a number of different routes this week, and 495-GWPW-KeyBridge-Whitehurst seems to be the quickest in my estimation. I've been able to consistently get to work in about 35 minutes if I leave before 7:20, and have been able to get back home in about 45 mintues regardless of what time I leave. I still haven't tried 66 right at 6:30...I'll still need to give that a shot. Thanks again everyone.

[Newk]

Not bad. I could get to southwest DC from Springfield on a good day in 30 minutes leaving at 700am. Going home, get out of there at 400pm-410pm

[VEIK]

One hour and 20 minutes today.
Herndon to NW DC.

Georgetown Pike to GW

had to shortcut via Arlington.

damn traffic

[gemad]

Traffic was a lot better when gas was over $4 a gallon.

[sweetpotater58]

On a nice day-take the subway and lighten the traffic load. There is no quick way out of DC at Rush hour.