Central location needed (Arlington, Franconia, Springfield: apartment, rental, home)

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by semreads

So 35 miles(Arlington to Quantico) is considered an average commute? It woukd take about an hour, correct?

IMO that's a long commute for this area because traffic is some of the worst in the country.

I'd say it would take you an hour on a good day. I'm sure some will disagree with me

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by semreads

So 35 miles(Arlington to Quantico) is considered an average commute? It woukd take about an hour, correct?

Depends on whom you ask. Some people commute farther than that (e.g., Gainesville to DC), some less. I'd venture that it's on the slightly high end of average in terms of distance. As to the commute time, I'd your estimate is about right (and an hour commute is very average for the DC region). Getting to the exit for Belvoir takes me 25 minutes. Quantico is another 16 miles down 395 (15 minutes), plus whatever it takes from that exit to the actual base. So I'd say an hour sounds about right.

Originally Posted by GMUAlum08

driving down to visit family i take 95 and I'm sitting in traffic, both ways until I clear fredericksburg. and this is on the weekends.

OK, now I understand. Yeah, I'm not surprised at all. When the entire DC region is trying to get out of town for some holiday or even just a nice-weather weekend, I can see why the traffic would be worse on the weekend.

[semreads]

But, if I move mid-way(Springfield area) I'll have horrible traffic for the 6 months I'll be reporting to the Arlington office, correct? I selected the Springfield area, is there public transit available into Arlington /Ballston area? Sprinfield area to Quantico is what you call a reverse commute( going against the traffic), correct?

[Cardiff Kook]

If you can do 16 miles in 15 minutes in this area you are "winning", so to speak

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by semreads

But, if I move mid-way(Springfield area) I'll have horrible traffic for the 6 months I'll be reporting to the Arlington office, correct? I selected the Springfield area, is there public transit available into Arlington /Ballston area? Sprinfield area to Quantico is what you call a reverse commute( going against the traffic), correct?

I still think your commute to Quantico is going to be worse than you commute to North Arlington from Springfield

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by GMUAlum08

If you can do 16 miles in 15 minutes in this area you are "winning", so to speak

That's only 60 mph--which seems to be the bare minimum one can go on 395S in the morning without being tailgated. (I probably average 65-70 mph there.)

Originally Posted by GMUAlum08

I still think your commute to Quantico is going to be worse than you commute to North Arlington from Springfield

This is just not correct. I see the latter people every day, on the other side of the median, as I go south. They are bumper to bumper. Meanwhile, traffic going southbound flies by. It's occasionally a bit hairy with the lane changes, but it definitely is moving.

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

That's only 60 mph--which seems to be the bare minimum one can go on 395S in the morning without being tailgated. (I probably average 65-70 mph there.)



This is just not correct. I see the latter people every day, on the other side of the median, as I go south. They are bumper to bumper. Meanwhile, traffic going southbound flies by. It's occasionally a bit hairy with the lane changes, but it definitely is moving.

i must have picked the worst times to drive on 95 then. this was not my experience at all on the weekends. i couldn't imagine it during rush hour, but apparently its not that bad

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

That's only 60 mph--which seems to be the bare minimum one can go on 395S in the morning without being tailgated. (I probably average 65-70 mph there.)



This is just not correct. I see the latter people every day, on the other side of the median, as I go south. They are bumper to bumper. Meanwhile, traffic going southbound flies by. It's occasionally a bit hairy with the lane changes, but it definitely is moving.

if i were him, i wouldn't be driving from franconia to arlington. metro all the way

franconia is 25 miles from quantico and 11 from ballston. i'd be willing to bet they will be equal commutes at worst

[semreads]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

That's only 60 mph--which seems to be the bare minimum one can go on 395S in the morning without being tailgated. (I probably average 65-70 mph there.)



This is just not correct. I see the latter people every day, on the other side of the median, as I go south. They are bumper to bumper. Meanwhile, traffic going southbound flies by. It's occasionally a bit hairy with the lane changes, but it definitely is moving.

Logically, it does make since that southbound traffic will not be conjusted. Moat people are headed north towards DC.

Could I take the public transportation from Springfield/Franconia into Arlington?

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by semreads

Logically, it does make since that southbound traffic will not be conjusted. Moat people are headed north towards DC.

Could I take the public transportation from Springfield/Franconia into Arlington?

logically yes, but there is no "true" reverse commute in this area. i've lived here long enough to know that traffic may move better in one direction, but its never smooth sailing over a long distance

yes, you could blue line up to rosslyn and take the orange line out to ballston. this is what i would do