I hate you, seven corners (Arlington, Washington: insurance, school, college)

[lcinva]

I grew up in Northern Virginia, but my parents moved while I was in college, so I only had a year or so of driving myself around there once I turned 16. I'm 23 now, and my husband and I drove from Ohio b/c he is taking a CE course for dental school. Knowing we would be down there this weekend, he bought a road bike on ebay and wanted me to pick it up b/c the store was open from 9-5 on Saturday only. It's on Wilson blvd. about a mile from seven corners. I'm thinking, oh yeah, I'm from there, I am more than capable of finding this place.

WRONG. I have mapquest directions which take me (from Nutley st.) to 50E, through Seven Corners to Wilson Blvd. Of course, mapquest says to get to seven corners, stay on Arlington Rd. for .2 miles, then go to Wilson Blvd. This leads me to believe Wilson blvd. is not, in fact, one of the seven corners - which is obviously not correct. I left an hour to get to this place from the vienna metro before 5pm (and it's only 7 miles!!!), and at 4:45 I have now gone down what seemed to be every road in seven corners, and called my dad and yelled at him to figure out where I am. From 50E NONE are labeled Wilson Blvd. Finally I end up on Rt. 7, turn around, and see a sign for wilson blvd. Of course at this point it is 5:05pm, and I didn't even get the stupid bike.

This is a long rant, but I was furious. I mean, shame on me for, I don't know, ASSUMING I would be able to drive 7 miles in an hour. What is the deal?? Why don't they designate which lane goes where? And why is there no sign for Wilson Blvd at A. the entrance from 50 E or B. on the road itself?? I drove about .5 mile before there was a sign at all telling me that I was on Wilson Blvd.

Anyway, poor planning on the city's part. I was definitely humbled, and slightly depressed as by the end of the ordeal I wanted to stop my car in the middle of seven corners and get hit by someone, only to be followed by my husband getting off of the metro and wondering where his new bike was.

[dkf747]

Study the map and try a different route. Take 66 to Washington blvd. Go straight at the light. The next light is Sycamore st. Turn right on Sycamore and follow it to get to Wilson, just west of 7 corners.

[Katie1]

Mapquest has given WRONG directions to me so yell at them !!

[American Arrogance]

I cant believe people still use mapquest!

[juniperbleu]

Seven Corners is just a horrible, horrible intersection. I've had to add 25 minutes to my travel time when I missed my turn leaving the shopping center and had to go through 50W to Rt. 7E. After a year I still wasn't sure of what lane to get in. Eventually I just figured out where to turn beforehand to miss most of it.

[Elle11]

I advoid mapquest at all costs!!. It has given me wrong directions several times. I now always call my destination to get the easiest route and closest parking possible. I ask how long it will take me from my starting place and add time on accordingly. I hate to be late for anything and can understand how annoying and angry you must have been. Oh yeh, don't forget to take the phone # so you can call and beg the store to stay open a few more minutes.

[arabellava]

7corners is one of the highest accident areas- try getting insurance when you live nearby (I lived there temporarily at my parents house- they were out of the country).. I got into an accident there during my time there- I was not in fault and knew to get evidence soon- the driver signed a statement and I took pictures- it was not a police matter (which is why I did this) since there was no body injury.. Basically- 7 corners is a mess- that intersection at 7 and 50 is so dangerous..

[Skatergirl]

I was going to a residential area near 7 corners. I was supposed to turn on Wilson just at 7 corners. I live just off 50, so my directions also took me on 50w. I used google for directions. When I approached the area--insert your fiasco. I turned around several times and looping that area is a mess. I made a couple of illegal turns and by dumb luck I saw the Wilson sign. What a stinking mess!!

[handy man88]

Wilson Blvd is right in front of Eden Center where the arch is. Very simple!

But, I do agree that 7 corners is dangerous for non locals and for some locals.

Next time, take 66E, exit fairfax drive, go south on Glebe, and then right or left on Wilson.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by handy man88

Next time, take 66E, exit fairfax drive, go south on Glebe, and then right or left on Wilson.

If you're going to the 7 corners area then that is going way past it then coming back. 66 to Wash. Blvd to Sycamore to Wilson is much shorter.