Haymarket Commute (Manassas, Groveton, Vienna: house, transfer to, purchase)

[Tyfmph]

I am considering moving to Haymarket. I work in DC so for the commute I am considering driving to the Vienna metro station and taking the train in to work. What is the traffic like between Haymarket and Vienna around 6:30 or 7am? What is the parking siutation like at the Vienna metro station?

[DavidS827]

If you take some back roads and pick up 66 in Manassas, you can make in under 30 minutes.

[Tyfmph]

Thank you DavidS827. Would you recommend taking route 15 to Sudley to 29? Or taking 15 to route 55 to Lee Highway? I am not familiar with the area so I'm taking a guess by looking at the maps. The house that I am considered is right off Old Carolina.

[DavidS827]

I wouldn't try to pick up 29 at Sudley as that is only a two lane road and it gets quite congested during the morning rush and 15 to 55 is just as bad. From Old Carolina I would take Heathcote to Catharpin. Turn left and go a few miles to Artimus. Turn right on Artimus. Take that to Pageland and turn rught. Take that to 29 and turn left. Then go a mile or so and turn right on Groveton. Then go to Balls Ford and turn left. Then go to 234 (Sudley) and turn left. You can pick up 66 from there. I know it seems a little out of the way, but it will save you a lot of time.

Soon Heathcote will open up completely and you can take that straight to 29, but that wont be until some time in the summer.

[Tyfmph]

Thank you very much. Really appreciate it.

[DavidS827]

Glad to help. Let me know if you need anything else.

[knoxville_girl]

Originally Posted by DavidS827

I wouldn't try to pick up 29 at Sudley as that is only a two lane road and it gets quite congested during the morning rush and 15 to 55 is just as bad. From Old Carolina I would take Heathcote to Catharpin. Turn left and go a few miles to Artimus. Turn right on Artimus. Take that to Pageland and turn rught. Take that to 29 and turn left. Then go a mile or so and turn right on Groveton. Then go to Balls Ford and turn left. Then go to 234 (Sudley) and turn left. You can pick up 66 from there. I know it seems a little out of the way, but it will save you a lot of time.

Soon Heathcote will open up completely and you can take that straight to 29, but that wont be until some time in the summer.

Hello, can either of you tell me what this commute is like now, since I see this post is over a year old? I think David mentioned that Heathcote would be opening up? I would be also be traveling from Old Carolina to the Vienna Metro early in the morning (for about a year until I transition to working primarily from home). So, any tips re. route and times of day to shoot for and avoid both coming and going would be much appreciated. Thanks so much!

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by knoxville_girl

Hello, can either of you tell me what this commute is like now, since I see this post is over a year old? I think David mentioned that Heathcote would be opening up? I would be also be traveling from Old Carolina to the Vienna Metro early in the morning (for about a year until I transition to working primarily from home). So, any tips re. route and times of day to shoot for and avoid both coming and going would be much appreciated. Thanks so much!

Dear Knoxville Girl. Hope this post finds you well. You may want to consider taking the VRE from Broad Run station to DC L'enfant Plaza or to Union Station. I am the resident VRE expert "train rider" and could get you started.

Please find out if your company is sponsoring your commute in any way, because you can use metrochecks to purchase VRE tickets.

Thanks

[knoxville_girl]

VRE332, thanks so much for your response. Yes, my employer would subsidize my commute and I could use metrochecks to pay for part of my monthly VRE commute.

However, while I hear the VRE is a great method of transportation, I am wondering if I wouldn't make better time taking the metro, since my stop is McPhearson Square on the Orange Line. So, if it takes 30 minutes from Old Carolina (around Piedmont) to the Vienna Metro, it would be a straight shot from the Vienna Metro to McPh Sq (30 min) for a total commute of 1 hour. Whereas if I took the VRE, it would be commute time to the VRE (15 mins?) + VRE to L'Enfant Plaza (1 hr?) + transfer to orange line back 4 stops to McPh Sq (15 mins?) = total commute of 1 hr 30 mins. Do my time estimates sound accurate?

Thanks again for sharing your expertise.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by knoxville_girl

VRE332, thanks so much for your response. Yes, my employer would subsidize my commute and I could use metrochecks to pay for part of my monthly VRE commute.

However, while I hear the VRE is a great method of transportation, I am wondering if I wouldn't make better time taking the metro, since my stop is McPhearson Square on the Orange Line. So, if it takes 30 minutes from Old Carolina (around Piedmont) to the Vienna Metro, it would be a straight shot from the Vienna Metro to McPh Sq (30 min) for a total commute of 1 hour. Whereas if I took the VRE, it would be commute time to the VRE (15 mins?) + VRE to L'Enfant Plaza (1 hr?) + transfer to orange line back 4 stops to McPh Sq (15 mins?) = total commute of 1 hr 30 mins. Do my time estimates sound accurate?

Thanks again for sharing your expertise.

I suggest you try both methods because the commute can cost you a lot of wear and tear on your car. In addition, the parking at the Metro lot is not free. Parking at the VRE is free and you can sleep on the train, in addition your employer pays for it; which is a great way to save money. In my experience, my commute is a lot longer than the 66 to Metro, but the stress of the commute plus the 1 hour nap on the train each way is well worth it. And of course, I'm saving about $300/month on commuting

You could also take the Linton Hall PRTC bus to the West Falls Church Linton Hall Metro Direct AM Map

http://www.prtctransit.org/commuter-bus/pdf/LHMD.pdf