Commute via 95 from EC/Columbia to White Oak area, is it worse than via Rt 29? (Baltimore: townhome)

[Niubee43V3R]

We've been searching for houses in EC and Columbia area for a while. My commute is to White Oak, FDA campus, and my wife's to JHH in B'more. She's been happy with the commuter bus from Columbia Mall, so driving commute is not important to her as of yet.

We've always been hesitatant to look at area between Rt 29 and 95 (in the middle, not very close to either highway), because I felt it would add more local traffic to my drive. And my general impression of driving via 95 to White Oak (I could take the exit at Power Mills to the rear entry of campus) is always jammed at rush hour, while for Rt 29, it only has a few jammed up spots (from exit 15 to 20 generally).

We are thinking about a townhome at Brightlight Rd (intersection of 103 and rt 100). It would add about 1-2 miles commute to 95 for me, and how bad it would be in rush hour to do this commute from 103-100-I95(I'm on a normal 7:30am to 6 pm schedule)? We only have one car, so I'd have to drop my wife off at the Snowden River pkwy Park and Ride (about 3 miles away but on my route pretty much).

Thanks a lot for your input.

[Niubee43V3R]

Any general input about this area (rt 100 and rt 103)?

TIA

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Niubee43V3R

Any general input about this area (rt 100 and rt 103)?

The choice of 29 versus I-95 is probably an individual matter. I'd prefer 29, as people expect slower speeds. I find the higher speeds on I-95 are terrifying (when you can get up to speed). The large tractor-trailers on I-95 are frightening too.

Fortunately, I was mostly a reverse commuter going to Baltimore from Silver Spring, so I can't comment on the times to get to White Oak in the morning.