Commute from GMU (Fairfax) to AU (DC)? (Vienna, Orange: university, buses)

[OrangeFish]

What would be the best commuting route (arrive at 9 am, depart at 5 pm) between George Mason U in Fairfax to American University in DC?

[Badger21]

the metro. You don't wanna mess with 66 at that time a day.

[stax]

This is assuming that you are a student or faculty at GMU: seriously, don't drive unless you absolutely have to. If you're on campus, then take either the Mason to Metro shuttle or the CUE bus. Both are free (with a student ID), and either one will take you to the Vienna Metro. There are Metrobuses too, but they run less frequent and run a longer route. But if you really have to drive, I would actually recommend taking 123 up to Chain Bridge, and then take Canal St, left on Arizona, and a right on Longboro. That should put you right by the campus.

[smithy77]

Originally Posted by OrangeFish

What would be the best commuting route (arrive at 9 am, depart at 5 pm) between George Mason U in Fairfax to American University in DC?

OK, I've never tried this during rush hour, but here's how I would do it: Find the most convenient route to Chain Bridge (experiment with different routes). Cross the Chain Bridge into Maryland, then take a right on to Canal Road----go to the next light and take a left on to Arizona Ave.---follow Arizona until it ends at Nebraska Ave.----take a right and go east on Nebraska Ave----until you see American U. on the left. There is absolutely no need to go anywhere near downtown or Georgetown to get there. Good luck.

[smithy77]

My bad. DC is on the other side of Chain Bridge, not Md.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by stax

This is assuming that you are a student or faculty at GMU: seriously, don't drive unless you absolutely have to.

Unfortunately -- not a student or faculty member but a consultant. Thanks for the 123 to Chain Bridge recommendation; I'll give that a try!

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by smithy77

OK, I've never tried this during rush hour, but here's how I would do it: Find the most convenient route to Chain Bridge (experiment with different routes). Cross the Chain Bridge into Maryland, then take a right on to Canal Road----go to the next light and take a left on to Arizona Ave.---follow Arizona until it ends at Nebraska Ave.----take a right and go east on Nebraska Ave----until you see American U. on the left. There is absolutely no need to go anywhere near downtown or Georgetown to get there. Good luck.

Thanks much! I'm dreading this at rush hour.

[claremarie]

Here's another possibility, which bypasses the Tyson's Corner area:

Lee Hwy to Gallows to Idlywood (becomes Kirby) to 123 to Chain Bridge
Other than the intersection with Route 7, there are very few long lights on the Idlywood/Kirby stretch

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Here's another possibility, which bypasses the Tyson's Corner area:

Lee Hwy to Gallows to Idlywood (becomes Kirby) to 123 to Chain Bridge
Other than the intersection with Route 7, there are very few long lights on the Idlywood/Kirby stretch

Nice idea -- thanks for the great suggestion!

[smithy77]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Here's another possibility, which bypasses the Tyson's Corner area:

Lee Hwy to Gallows to Idlywood (becomes Kirby) to 123 to Chain Bridge
Other than the intersection with Route 7, there are very few long lights on the Idlywood/Kirby stretch

Good suggestion!