Commute from Rockville area to Reston/Herndon area? (Silver Spring, Gaithersburg: sales, home)

[TZTNVA44]

What is the commute like from Rockville area to Reston/Herndon area?

[goldenage1]

I speak as one who commuted from Silver Spring to Herndon in the 90's. I hated it, and found another job as quickly as possible. You have a choice of the toll road or Route 7. Either way the commute is a minimum of an hour.

[KidsMake5]

Not to sound discouraging but Horrible. Depending upon the time of year, day of the week, hour of day and weather conditions you are looking at the minimum 35 minutes up to 1 to 1.5 hours, depending upon those variables. You won't fare much better taking mass transit either - as it is costly (unless your company offers reimbursement) and it can be unreliable as well at takes about an hour (or more). We have lived here many years and it is not getting any better. Rush hour now starts as early as 6:30 AM and can last well past 6 PM - again depending upon the the above variables. We are also very well known for being aggressive drivers - so be warned. To save your sanity - I would look for something closer to work.

[TZTNVA44]

Yikes! That doesn't sound good at all. Thanks for the advice. I actually live in the Rockville area and was told by an HR person (who called me about a job) that the commute was not bad....guess that was just part of the sales pitch.

[KidsMake5]

My husband has commuted to Reston, Arlington, Alexandria and Ft. Belvoir and he was never happy with the commute. It was always at least 40
minutes each way and usually closer to an hour or more. We are now planning to move to upstate NY to get away from all of the traffic and stress DC has to offer. Good Luck!

[zrb2]

From 2005-2007 I commuted from Gaithersburg to Sterling, VA...so I passed Herndon/Reston each way. I usually beat the rush going by leaving at 6am and arriving about 6:45 or so. Coming home was the big pain. I'd leave by 4pm but the merge from the toll road to I-495 north was time consuming. On a good day it would take 60-70 mins to get home. On a bad day it could take 90 mins or more. Sometimes I would take the curvy and hilly Georgetown Pike to I-495 north if I needed a diversion from the daily grind. There's really no way to beat the afternoon rush unless you leave work before 3pm. It's doable though and if a job pays a whole lot I'd do it again.

[Lubina]

and was told by an HR person (who called me about a job) that the commute was not bad

The lied.

[TZTNVA44]

Thanks everyone for your input!