Commute from Willowbend area to 290 & BW8? (Houston, Bellaire: townhouse, neighborhoods)

[elleari]

Moving to Houston in a few months and looking to buy a house. I am somewhat familiar with the city, but haven't really driven in the typical rush hour traffic.

I know both 610 and 290 are congested, but any ideas on just how long this commute would be, taking 610/290 to 290 & BW8? Would it be faster to go west on, say, Bellfort and go straight up the beltway? I'll have a typical 8-5 but could go an hour early if it would ease the drive.

We really like the homes and proximity to the Galleria and Museum District of the Willow Meadows/Willowbend area. My wife's job would be in TMC, so her commute would be easy--our main reservation is my commute.

Any other recommendations on comparable areas with homes under $275k (would prefer a single family home, not a townhouse) that would be more convenient to both of our work locations? Schools are not a concern.

[trbstang]

The wife of a friend that lives up in Tomball works by the Galleria and she always takes the Westpark tollway and the beltway for her commute. It is much faster for her and that is in rush hour. You would be going against most of the traffic, so I think it would be your best option to take the beltway, even without paying the tolls. Any time you can avoid the Galleria area or 290 you will be better off.

[DJboutit]

I live in the same area west loop by the Galleria will add 15 to 20 min to your trip in the morning. You Might want to check it Meadows Place off West Bellfort 1 mile west of 59 would be easier to get to 290 & beltway 8

[houstonfan]

I sometiems have to travel that route. In the morning it isn't bad going out of the city, lots of cars but I typically can drive at >60mph. Going from 59x610 to bltw8x290 at 8am, I make it in 20min, in the summer, when the kids are out of school, 15min. If there's an accident, that's another story. From willowben, i'm guessing the time you spend on the highway should be around 30min, add to that the time from home to highway and highway to work. Going home though, is terrible on 610. Take beltway to westpark and then probably go down chimeny rock or south rice? Never tried it. But, regardless, working from 7-4 would help the commute alot in both directions. I think 610 is much more tolerable at 4pm. I take 610 when I leave work at 3pm and it's ok. At 5pm, I avoid 610 at all costs.
There are houses along 610 west, not as south as willowbend in your price range, but I'm not sure the quality of the houses since they are pricey neighborhoods. Check Bellaire, Larchmont, Westbury.

[jimboburnsy]

West loop North in the mornings will get fairly bad around 59/Galleria if you leave after 7:15 or so. Once you get past that you're going counter to the flow of traffic. From Willowbend and S. Post Oak to 290 & the Beltway is probably about 25-30 minutes before 7:00 AM and 45 minutes after that.

[bigmikeUT]

I am your expert in for this. I live in Willowbend and EVERY single weekday morn i travel from SPO & Willowbend to 290 and W Tidwell. it takes me 20-27 minutes in the morning and 24-30 minutes coming home. i leave home at 8 AM in morning and leave work at 5:30 PM