Rush hour drive from Hillsboro Airport to Washington Square in Tigard (Portland: lease, house)

[beej1981]

I am looking at a house a few minutes from Hillsboro Airport, and my work would be right by Washington Square in Tigard. At first I will need to go into work every day, but after 4-5 months I will only need to go in 1-2x per week. I am hoping to see what I am getting myself into. Anyone have insight into the commute time?

Thanks!

[figmalt]

Commute on 217 during rush hour is terrible. It's often complete gridlock because it's the main road from western Washington County to Wa. Sq. and I-5. Going from Hillsboro to Tigard can often take more than an hour.

You can take River Road & Hwy 210 to Tigard to avoid the gridlock -- it takes about 45 minutes, but it's mostly a pretty drive through farmland and rolling hills. Basically 217 is faster than River Rd during low traffic conditions, but not during rush hour.

[philwithbeard]

Pity there isn't an good mass trans solutions to OP's commute. Figmalt's comments don't sound like fun.

I really don't think MAX light rail Hillsboro to Beaverton Transit Center, and then WES heavy rail south to Tigard Transit center or Hall road (Washington Square) stop would save any time or commute stress. (due to WES infrequent departure times.) And then, catching a local bus to your office.....

But give it a try and see what TriMet suggests as a trip route:
TriMet: Public Transportation for the Portland, Oregon, Metro Area
I am guessing 1 hour each way.

[ksucher]

I use to drive that route regularly, now only a few times a week. It all depends on the time and even at peak times it moves along unless there is an accident. Going to Tigard is best to be on 217 before 7:30am and the worst is coming home on 26. If you get on 26 before 4:30pm usually flows right on out to Hillsboro otherwise you get the bottleneck at Cornell road which they will be working on next year to move that bottleneck out to 185th.
[SIZE=5] [/SIZE]

[figmalt]

Originally Posted by philwithbeard

Pity there isn't an good mass trans solutions to OP's commute. Figmalt's comments don't sound like fun.

I really don't think MAX light rail Hillsboro to Beaverton Transit Center, and then WES heavy rail south to Tigard Transit center or Hall road (Washington Square) stop would save any time or commute stress. (due to WES infrequent departure times.) And then, catching a local bus to your office.....

But give it a try and see what TriMet suggests as a trip route:
TriMet: Public Transportation for the Portland, Oregon, Metro Area
I am guessing 1 hour each way.

Not viable, unless you want to spend hours on mass transit. I feel like a broken record, but mass transit is really not a good option unless you're heading to Portland. It's designed to get people to and from Portland, not really to get them around the metro area. You could take the MAX from Hillsboro to the Beaverton transit center, and then a bus, but it certainly wouldn't save any time, and it would be just as crowded. The bus would have to fight the same traffic as regular drivers.

River Road/Scholls is a good alternative. It's a nice drive without a lot of traffic, through very pretty countryside.

[Leisesturm]

How about... ... living in Tigard?! You can't tell me that nothing could be found in Tigard that would equal what can be found in North Portland.

H

[Bluesmama]

I think you should check into homes in Tigard. Really. The WES Commuter is odd in that it's stops are few, as well as the # of runs. I think you'd be happier living in Tigard and just driving to work.

As good as Max and the inter-system is, it sufficiently serves only certain areas. It doesn't even do diddly-squat for South Beaverton! This would be such a huge savings in time for you that it would add greatly to your quality of life.

[beej1981]

Ksucher, where are you an agent? We are going to lease for 6 months to then determine what area we would consider ideal for us. Also, based on your recommendations regarding times to be on each freeway, what would be the timeframe for the commute between the two, day and night?

Unfortunately, I drive alot for work, and cannot leave the company car at home and ride transit.

Thanks!