How much worse is traffic during the school year? (Arlington: rent, home) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

Azmordean · 07-20-2009, 06:34 PM

Hey all,

I frequently hear the refrain "traffic is much lighter in the summer." Well, I started my job June 22, so summer is all I've experienced so far. I am commuting from Alexandria (Edsall @ 395) to the Oakton area (Jermantown @ 123).

My route is Edsall to Backlick to Little River to Pickett. On average, I get to work in about 40 minutes. I've had it take as long as 55 minutes and be as short as 30 minutes. This with summer traffic.

To make a long story short, I am presently living with family, but am planning to get a place with a buddy of mine in the Fair Lakes area by December at the latest.

My question is this: Is traffic during the school year worse to such a degree that I ought to consider moving early (e.g., labor day weekend), and "eating" the extra rent until my friend is ready to move in? Or is traffic not really that different, meaning I can just wait until my friend is ready and save some bucks? Any ideas on how much longer I should expect my commute to be? I've heard "double" which would be untennable. But if it's more like 10 minutes, I could probably live with that.

Thoughts?

movingtodcfromseattle · 07-20-2009, 07:27 PM

Great question! We moved here just about 3 weeks ago and have found the same thing in regards to traffic. I'll be curious to hear what others have to say. Maybe that's why nobody has posted an answer to your question....are they all out of town?

dkf747 · 07-20-2009, 07:40 PM

It will be worse when all the buses and other school traffic gets added back in to traffic. Also, lots of vacationers will be back too.

GreenGene · 07-20-2009, 07:57 PM

I think I'd rather face school year traffic (unless you're on side roads a lot). The first couple of school days can be bad, as parents/teachers/school bus drivers/etc. get used to their schedules and routines. But that generally settles down fairly quickly.

Summer traffic? More unpredictable than school year traffic, and often more heavy, especially on 95. If we had an outer beltway ... well, I won't go there. But I think there's more thru traffic on 95 during the summer than during the rest of the year.

Note that this comes from someone who commuted up and down 95 every day. We'd leave home before school buses would be out, and we'd get back home after most school buses were done for the day. I suspect I would have a totally different view had my commute involved school bus routes.

Azmordean · 07-20-2009, 08:08 PM

GreenGene -

That's my concern. I take no highways. My whole route is on "side streets."

dkf747 · 07-21-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azmordean

GreenGene -

That's my concern. I take no highways. My whole route is on "side streets."

It will be alittle bit worse. since you're stating out at Edsall @ 395, you're much better off than someone starting from Old Town.

NOVAmtneer82 · 07-21-2009, 05:59 AM

I always allow an extra 10-15 minutes once school starts in the region. I drive from north Arlington to Tysons Corner and the traffic is definitely heavier, especially on the back roads. Most of the high schools in Fairfax County start in the 7:30 time frame so you have lots of extra bus and student traffic.

Yankeesfan · 07-21-2009, 06:47 AM

No, don't worry, it will probably be some extra but not anywhere near double. I'd save your money and wait until your roommate arrives.

terrence81 · 07-21-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azmordean

Hey all,

I frequently hear the refrain "traffic is much lighter in the summer." Well, I started my job June 22, so summer is all I've experienced so far. I am commuting from Alexandria (Edsall @ 395) to the Oakton area (Jermantown @ 123).

My route is Edsall to Backlick to Little River to Pickett. On average, I get to work in about 40 minutes. I've had it take as long as 55 minutes and be as short as 30 minutes. This with summer traffic.

To make a long story short, I am presently living with family, but am planning to get a place with a buddy of mine in the Fair Lakes area by December at the latest.

My question is this: Is traffic during the school year worse to such a degree that I ought to consider moving early (e.g., labor day weekend), and "eating" the extra rent until my friend is ready to move in? Or is traffic not really that different, meaning I can just wait until my friend is ready and save some bucks? Any ideas on how much longer I should expect my commute to be? I've heard "double" which would be untennable. But if it's more like 10 minutes, I could probably live with that.

Thoughts?

It'll be a little heavier but it won't be that noticeable. There's a high school at the corner of Pickett and Little River Turnpike that might slow you down depending on when you have to be at work.

Caladium · 07-21-2009, 06:55 AM

Easy solution: Ask your neighbors what time the school bus arrives in your neighborhood. Then, make a point of leaving for work 15 minutes before that time.

Going to work early in the morning has a lot of benefits. If there's some reason you don't want to get to your job early, you can still drive to the area and then go to a gym or stop for coffee some place near your job.