Alexandria Job (Annandale, Washington: how much, schools, living)

[Iverson7502]

So I recently found a job in old town Alexandria on Montgomery St. The place where I am planning on living is on Chippewa Pl. in Alexandria. Google Maps tells me to take the Little River Turnpike to get to work.

My question is, how much traffic does the Little River Turnpike usually see? It is very congested?

[FindingZen]

FYI Route 236 - where you'll be traveling - is known as Duke Street in Alexandria and Little River Turnpike in Annandale. It is definitely a main thoroughfare in Alexandria with stoplights. Your next best option might be to take I-395 to the Van Dorn exit and get on King St/Route 7 although King Street is "the" main street, especially once you reach Old Town.

[robbobobbo]

Beauregard to Braddock and then Braddock into Old Town might work out better, and it would put you right into the north end near Montgomery without you having to drive through a lot of Old Town, as opposed to entering from Duke St. I don't know how traffic is and there are a few bad intersections with long waits (Braddock/Quaker/King), but I'd say try it out.

[weezycom]

Originally Posted by robbobobbo

Beauregard to Braddock and then Braddock into Old Town might work out better, and it would put you right into the north end near Montgomery without you having to drive through a lot of Old Town, as opposed to entering from Duke St. I don't know how traffic is and there are a few bad intersections with long waits (Braddock/Quaker/King), but I'd say try it out.

Ditto this. I come from Annandale and take LRT/Duke into Old Town, but I work closer to King and down near the river. Being up on Montgomery Street, you'll want to come into Old Town farther north to avoid the block-by-block stops in Old Town. The only really bad intersection is King/Quaker/Braddock, and watch for cops when you're passing the schools on Braddock b/c they like to set up speed traps on those hills.

[robbobobbo]

Originally Posted by weezycom

The only really bad intersection is King/Quaker/Braddock, and watch for cops when you're passing the schools on Braddock b/c they like to set up speed traps on those hills.

Yes, and please observe the speed limit on Braddock, especially east of Quaker, as it is residential and not a highway.

[Iverson7502]

I just google mapped again and it said if i take duke st the whole way its 21 min. but i know with traffic that isnt happening haha. Anyone have any idea how long it would take to get from where ill be staying to where ill be working?

[scottfs]

Did a very similar commute from around Braddock and Backlick down to old town for a couple of years until recently. From where you're coming from I'd just stick w/ 236. It's better in the mornings than the afternoon, but it isn't a snail's pace most. It backs up a bit leading up to the Telegraph road connection in the morning, and slowest near the 395 interchange and thru the Beauregard St. intersection in the evenings, but mostly manageable. You won't gain much of anything by trying alternate routes, believe me I tried.

[notinnj]

I am chiming in late, I know. I agree with weezycom and robbobobbo. Forget 236 all the way in. Go Beauregard to Braddock. Montgomery St is in the north part of Old Town. It will take some effort coming from Duke St, especially in the mornings and evenings when you will be fighting it out with the majority of other commuters. Braddock puts you right where you need to be. It can be very difficult going southbound or northbound on Patrick - Henry Streets or Washington Boulevard at rush.