commuting from old town to dupont circle (Washington, Cleveland: apartments, university)

[mibrady2]

I have a couple questions regarding commuting to dupont circle area. Basically I just took a job on 19th and M, a couple blocks south of dupont circle. Thinking about my commute, I can get an apartment in old town that is a 7 minute walk to the Braddock metro stop, then ride the metro to farragut west (20 mins), then walk to my office for another 10 mins. Maybe throw in another 5 minutes for waiting for the metro. this is about 40-45 minutes. I was wondering if this is a realistic estimate on my part during rush hour, or am I in fantasy land?

Anyone currently doing this or a similar commute? Also, I am an avid biker, so the Mt. Vernon trail looks great. Anyone commute on the mount vernon trail? how is it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Mike

[FindingZen]

That's pretty realistic. The wait could be as much as ten minutes occasionally. And then there's the random "traffic jam" when train doors don't close due to mechanical (or passenger ) error. But that's a pretty good estimate IMO.

[g3org3]

Take a look at the bus, too. There's an express Metro bus (11Y) that runs from Old Town to downtown DC.
Metro - Bus
http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/va/11y.pdf

[robbobobbo]

I used to bike commute on the GW Parkway bike trail into DC, to Washington Circle (close to GW University). It's a popular path but not crowded during the morning and afternoon commute (heaviest recreational usage is weekends). North of Four Mile Run it's mostly straight without the twisties that characterize the trail south of Old Town. It's a mixed-use trail, so there can be walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, and cyclists, but on weekdays (especially mornings) not too much of anything other than cyclists. Pretty flat trail other than an overpass at the airport and a few other short inclines. You could do it single-speed without difficulty.

I used Memorial Bridge to cross into DC. The Rock Creek Park trail in DC isn't the greatest for bike commuting (narrow and sometimes bumpy, IIRC). You could take it to P St then on to Dupont, or get off earlier and ride more on the streets. Which raises the question - are you comfortable riding on city streets?

[SallyField]

Originally Posted by mibrady2

I have a couple questions regarding commuting to dupont circle area. Basically I just took a job on 19th and M, a couple blocks south of dupont circle. Thinking about my commute, I can get an apartment in old town that is a 7 minute walk to the Braddock metro stop, then ride the metro to farragut west (20 mins), then walk to my office for another 10 mins. Maybe throw in another 5 minutes for waiting for the metro. this is about 40-45 minutes. I was wondering if this is a realistic estimate on my part during rush hour, or am I in fantasy land?

Anyone currently doing this or a similar commute? Also, I am an avid biker, so the Mt. Vernon trail looks great. Anyone commute on the mount vernon trail? how is it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Mike

Hey, I worked at 19th & M in my past!

Your estimate for times is about right. Keep in mind that the walking part will be miserable in the snow and rain, so if you're going to be at 19th & M for the foreseeable future and don't have kids (you mention an apartment), you might also look on the Red Line for apartments. Cleveland Park, Woodley Park in DC would be a great commute, as would living in Dupont Circle itself, and just walking to work. Old Town is great, but not a terrific commute to NW DC, IMO. 45 minutes one way is a pretty long commute for living so close to the city.

As for biking, it can certainly be done and it really isn't too difficult a ride. I used to run from that area down Rock Creek Parkway and then down the Mt Vernon trail to Old Town. If I could run it, I'm sure you could bike it!

[saganista]

Originally Posted by SallyField

Your estimate for times is about right. Keep in mind that the walking part will be miserable in the snow and rain...

Bad weather days, take the Yellow Line to Gallery Place, then the Red Line to Farragut North. Adds the time for a train-change, but Farragut North exits at Washington Square. Big reduction in walk-to-office time as compared to Farragut West.