Metro or Drive to Alexandria from Falls Church (Dunn Loring, Orange: cost of, train)

[thinika]

Hi, I recently moved to Falls Church area on Lee Hwy close to Gallows Road/Lee Hwy intersection. I work in Alexandria near Braddock metro.
What do you suggest for commute, by Drive using Lee Hwy and route 7 or by metro from Dunn Loring to Braddock Rd metro.

Please suggest me. Thank you in advance.

[Luke29]

Why would you wanna take metro from Falls Church to Alexandria. unless you don't have a car, you will be simply wasting your money.

[saganista]

The train from Dunn Loring to Braddock Road (including the change of trains in Rosslyn) is 40-45 minutes. The fare each way in rush hour is $3.50. Parking at a Metro lot is $3.75 per day. All of those are scheduled to go up shortly after the first of the year. Figure by $1.00 to $1.50 per day, total.

Then you have to figure out the time and cost of gas, parking, and aggravation that would result from driving. And then you have to figure out whether your employer participates in Metro's SmartBenefits program. If he does, the program will pay your first $115 per month worth of Metro fares tax-free (no parking). That will make a big difference in the decision. For most people...but certainly not all...taking Metro if you can works out to be the best bet in the long run. It deserves a careful look and comparison to what you can do just between you and your car. Try it both ways. See what you think...

[pcity]

I'd drive, personally. The Metro is far out of the way. It goes straight east then straight south. You also have to account for time to get to and from the station. By driving you can do the diagonal on Route 7 and Braddock Road and leave directly from your house.

Metro is very convenient for two stops that are on the same line, but in general it's not time-efficient go to from Orange to Blue/Yellow or vice versa if both your start and destination are in Virginia.

[thinika]

Thanks for all your advises...