Commute from Ft Belvoir to Ft Myer (Arlington, Franconia: home, subsidized) - City-Data Forum

jdh1186 · 10-01-2009, 01:30 PM

Hey all, just wondering what the commute is like, and what options are available. We'll be living on Belvoir but my husband will work at Myer. Thanks for any help!

djplourd · 10-01-2009, 06:44 PM

It all depends on what time of day he's commuting. As long as he leaves Belvoir no later than 7 the commute to Myer won't be too bad. The earlier he leaves the better. On the way back, if he can leave by 3 it won't be too bad. If he works 9 to 5 his commute will be rough.

There are some back roads you can take to avoid 95 / 395 like Beaulah St and S. Van Dorn St. They're not really any faster but at least you keep moving (instead of stop and go on 95/395.

jdh1186 · 10-01-2009, 07:04 PM

Thank you! He works crazy hours... and we're not really sure what his job will be like when he gets to Ft Myer. He'll more than likely be taking public transportation, hopefully slugging if they do that down there.

slduvall · 10-02-2009, 05:20 AM

Most of the slugging/public transport will take him to the pentagon and then he will have to make his way to Ft Myer. There is a bus that used to run about every 20 minutes. By the time he got to a slug line (there isn't one on Belvoir) and waited, then waited again for the Ft Myer Bus, he might already be there. Metro would be quicker, as he can get to the Metro station faster than a slug line. There is a bus that runs to the Metro, but there was talk of it being discontinued due to lack of ridership. don't know if it picks up in housing. If he drove as another poster suggested, taking Van Dorn down to seminary and then towards Ft Myer (is that 50?) he would have more control over his commute. If he gets parking there...all the better. Of course if he takes public transport he will get subsidized.

jdh1186 · 10-02-2009, 05:32 AM

I hate to sound ignorant but what do you mean by "he will get subsidized"? I am so clueless to all things DC. I'm trying really hard to figure it all out!

Thanks for all the tips, it's such a huge help. I've heard theres a metro right outside the base. On a good day with good conditions, how long do you think it would take to get there?

djplourd · 10-02-2009, 12:47 PM

The Arlington Cemetery Metro stop is right next to Fort Myer. From Fort Belvoir your husband would need to get to either the Huntington or Franconia-Springfield Metro stations. The Fairfax Connector (REX) bus runs on post and goes to Huntington Metro. There are also Fairfax Connector buses that go to Franconia-Springfield but not on post. Check out their web site at Fairfax Connector*- Fairfax County, Virginia

Also check out the Washington METRO site Metro - Home page

Government employees get a monthly subsidy for using mass transit. I don't recall the exact amount but I know it went up recently. I think it's somewhere around $250.

djplourd · 10-02-2009, 12:49 PM

BTW - Are you sure you'll be living on Belvoir? I just moved here in August and housing said the expected wait was 9-12 months (for a Major).