Commuting from Norfolk, VA to Washington, DC (Virginia Beach, Richmond: 2015, apartment)

[Quenlen]

I am thinking about doing a commute from Norfolk, VA to Washington, DC for employment with the federal government, because the salaries are much better. Is there anyone doing a commute from Norfolk, VA to DC? If so, I would like to hear how you are managing the commute.

[Pyroninja42]

That's not a manageable commute in anyway whatsoever.

[HRVT]

Originally Posted by Quenlen

I am thinking about doing a commute from Norfolk, VA to Washington, DC for employment with the federal government, because the salaries are much better. Is there anyone doing a commute from Norfolk, VA to DC? If so, I would like to hear how you are managing the commute.

If you don't require sleep, by all means go for it. But even assuming the roads are completely clear (and going through the HRBT, skipping Richmond via 264, and then NOVA, they won't be) you're looking at a 3 and a half hour commute.

If you're desperate to be as far away from DC as possible while still enjoying the DC salaries, you MAYBE could do Richmond to DC, but even that is a nightmare of a commute. But Norfolk to DC is absolutely not possible.

[Gorges]

Are you talking about a DAILY commute? If so, no way.

[LakeLifePA]

I'm not sure if this is a real post, but unless you have a helicopter and a pad on both ends of your commute to park it on this commute would not be possible for any amount of money. I actually make this opposite commute once a month or so, and I do not leave my house until around 10 am, just to avoid most of the mess that is 95 and 64. No one could possibly do this everyday. You could always rent a room in DC through the week and commute on Friday and Sunday.

[Charlesaf3]

must be a joke. People commute from RVA to DC, and I think they are insane

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

must be a joke. People commute from RVA to DC, and I think they are insane

People commute from Stafford County, VA to DC and I think that is insane.

Serious though, getting a commuter room in Northern VA then going back to Norfolk on the weekend is more sane.

[Coconut1]

I know somebody who did, but they had a small apartment for during the week.

[jillybean720]

I live Virginia Beach and go to my office in Sterling, VA, for a day or two about every other week. I leave at about 4am to miss traffic on this end, which puts me in traffic on 95N usually starting about a couple miles before the Express lanes. That traffic isn't horrible, BUT I get off 95 in Woodbridge to 123. I'm sure the traffic is much worse if you continue on up 95 across or onto the Beltway. And I still hit some heavy traffic on the non-highways (123, Ffx Co Pkwy, and 28).

For my return trip, I usually don't leave my office until about 6:30pm or else 95S sucks most of the way down to Fredericksburg.

My trip usually takes about 4-5 hours each way including 1-2 stops for gas/food (even though Google Maps usually estimates less than 4). I do get a bargain on gas, though, as the truck stops at exit 104 off 95 seem to consistently have the best prices ($1.85 yesterday!).

There are times I make the trip in one day. It's a looong day, and I certainly wouldn't do it 2 or more days in a row. It gets tiring if I have to do it once a week for a month. I try to keep it to every other week or less. I work from home the rest of the time.

The salary is nice. The commute sucks. Zero chance I would ever consider doing it daily.

[tantan1968]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

must be a joke. People commute from RVA to DC, and I think they are insane

Like those who commute from Winchester & Front Royal to BALTIMORE !! Apparently there are a number of folks who do it as that is one reason why some of the Baltimore TV stations are still on cable there. In the past when the local Comcast tried to take WBAL & WJZ off from the lineup they come out of the woodwork and protest "..we need those Baltimore channels since we work there !!"...and Comcast would back down.