better commute to suitland? Arlington via 395 or Alexandria via 495 (Woodbridge: construction, living in)

[hq0002]

Im planning on moving to the DC area to begin working at the Suitland Federal Center

Which would be the quicker commute: Living in Arlington/N Alexandria and taking 395 through DC to get to Suitland or living in S Alexandria/Old Town and taking 495?

Thanks.

[terrence81]

I'm no expert but I"m going to say 495 you'd be going away from the Tysons Corner traffic going up 495. 395 is kinda rough in the morning. So yeah 495.

[akorosdc]

I'd also guess 495. I did it a few times and it wasn't so bad (granted, I left around 6am). 395 can get messy in the morning, and then you'd have to cut through parts of DC.

[South Jersey Styx]

If you are in Arlington, are you thinking about cutting across the shortcut near the Pentagon, going north onto the 14th St bridge and heading east on 395? This isn't a bad commute only it will get VERY hairy on the 14th St bridge are until you're a little past the Capitol.

I'd try it both ways, time it, and think about heavy-duty traffic--the kind of traffic that doesn' even move! Good luck!

[ChristineVA]

My mom commutes from Woodbridge to the Suitland Federal Center. She always goes up 95, onto 495, across the Wilson Bridge and up to Suitland. She goes very early and does it in 45 minutes. Her coworker, who also lives in Woodbridge, picks up slugs, goes up 395, drops them off at L'Enfant, and proceeds through town and then up the Suitland Parkway. His ride is not too bad either.

If you are a single rider and wanting to work normal, "human" hours, I would avoid 395 because it is pretty heavy after 6:30 a.m. Once you get on the Southeast/Southwest Freeway it's not too bad as most people are exiting off. You would breeze right up the Suitland Parkway.

[pcity]

Definitely 495. Wilson Bridge going east in the morning is far better than the 14th Street Bridge going east in the morning.

Also, the 14th Street Bridge will have construction the next few years, whereas the Wilson is basically done construction right now, though you still have some construction near Telegraph leading up to the bridge.

[The Dissenter]

I-495, for sure. The 14th St Bridge (on 395) is under construction and it was bad BEFORE the construction started. The WW bridge is pretty improved.

[hq0002]

the info about hte 14th street bridge construction is good to know. I looked at their web site and it look like its going to be that way for a long time.