leesburg to herndon commute (Reston: sales, rent, employment)

[tanyarlc]

Hello! From chicagoland so not unfamiliar with traffic but i am under the impression this is a whole different animal! is it realistic to live in leesburg and commute to herndon ( 267/657, i bet those roads have real names...can you tell i have no idea where i am heading? lol) id love for my husband to have a 20-30 max commute. suggestions on places to live? where are my outer boundaries? thanks!

if it helps i have kids so family friendly, good schools are a must! we will be renting first so budgets isnt an issue since rent is about the same everywhere ( outrageous! )

[gomason]

If your husband is willing to pay $10 a day to use the Dulles Greenway (267), then he can easily do it in like 25 mins (he would have to get off at the exit for 28 and take Frying Pan Road or Innovation Avenue into Herndon or he would have to pay another $7 a day to go the extra mile for the 657 exit). Otherwise, it would be about 45 mins down route 7.

If he doesn't want to pay tolls, you guys shouldn't move any further out than Ashburn.

[FCNova]

Tolls would probably cost more than $10 each way. I think peak on the Greenway now is $6.20 each way. And he'd probably get off on 267 somewhere after the Greenway which would cost another $1 I think. So that's something like $13-14 each way during peak rush hour times. But yeah if you pay that Leesburg to Herndon will be a breeze. Otherwise you're taking much slower roads with lots of lights and a lot more traffic.

I don't know what your budget is but I agree with gomason, try to stay in Ashburn or even Sterling or Herndon if your budget will allow.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by FCNova

Tolls would probably cost more than $10 each way. I think peak on the Greenway now is $6.20 each way. And he'd probably get off on 267 somewhere after the Greenway which would cost another $1 I think. So that's something like $13-14 each way during peak rush hour times. But yeah if you pay that Leesburg to Herndon will be a breeze. Otherwise you're taking much slower roads with lots of lights and a lot more traffic.

I don't know what your budget is but I agree with gomason, try to stay in Ashburn or even Sterling or Herndon if your budget will allow.

Peak toll is $6.20 on the Greenway which INCLUDES the $1.00 fee for the entrance to the Toll Road.

Scenario 1: If he gets off the Greenway at 606 (Old Ox), he would only have to pay $5.20 and take 606 over to 657. Total cost = $10.40 for the round trip.

Scenario 2: If he continues on the Greenway onto the Toll Road he would pay $6.20 (which includes the on ramp to the Toll Road, and would not pay any additional cost to exit at Rt. 657. Total cost = $12.40 for the round trip.

Scenario 3: If he took the Greenway and then the Toll Road to the exits at Rt 7 or Spring Hill, the cost would be $6.20 for the Greenway and $1.00 to exit. Total cost = $14.40 for the Round trip.

Scenario 4: If he took the Greenway and then the Toll Road and exited at the main Toll Plaza, the cost would be $6.20 for the Greenway and $2.50 to exit. Total cost = $17.40 for the round trip.

(Scenario 3 and 4 would not apply to the OP because he is exiting in Herndon; but I thought I would share for others.)

(Of course, if you are travelling at off-peak hours on the Greenway, you can deduct $1.00 each way. There is no deduction for the Toll Road for off-peak hours.)

[tanyarlc]

yeah no i think that i can find a lot more to do with $240 a month! from what i could tell researching those 3 suburbs seemed the most realistic! thanks!

[FCNova]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Peak toll is $6.20 on the Greenway which INCLUDES the $1.00 fee for the entrance to the Toll Road.

Scenario 1: If he gets off the Greenway at 606 (Old Ox), he would only have to pay $5.20 and take 606 over to 657. Total cost = $10.40 for the round trip.

Scenario 2: If he continues on the Greenway onto the Toll Road he would pay $6.20 (which includes the on ramp to the Toll Road, and would not pay any additional cost to exit at Rt. 657. Total cost = $12.40 for the round trip.

Scenario 3: If he took the Greenway and then the Toll Road to the exits at Rt 7 or Spring Hill, the cost would be $6.20 for the Greenway and $1.00 to exit. Total cost = $14.40 for the Round trip.

Scenario 4: If he took the Greenway and then the Toll Road and exited at the main Toll Plaza, the cost would be $6.20 for the Greenway and $2.50 to exit. Total cost = $17.40 for the round trip.

(Scenario 3 and 4 would not apply to the OP because he is exiting in Herndon; but I thought I would share for others.)

(Of course, if you are travelling at off-peak hours on the Greenway, you can deduct $1.00 each way. There is no deduction for the Toll Road for off-peak hours.)

The extra $1 I mentioned was EXITING the tollroad, not entering. Your scenario 3 was what I was getting at. Even if he doesn't have to pay that $1 he's going to be paying more than $10 each way unless he drives at off peak times.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by FCNova

The extra $1 I mentioned was EXITING the tollroad, not entering. Your scenario 3 was what I was getting at. Even if he doesn't have to pay that $1 he's going to be paying more than $10 each way unless he drives at off peak times.

You only pay the $1 exiting the Toll Road in Tysons. The OP, who is working in Herndon would not exit the Toll Road in Tysons. There is no fee to exit the Toll Road (heading East) in Herndon or Reston.

[blindside]

I continue to recommend to anyone who (1) accepts a job offer in NoVa and (2) needs to commute east-west, should definitely negotiate an employer sponsored (not reimbursement) EZ-Pass as part of their employment contract.

The other option is to negotiate a salary that allows you live within walking distance of where you work. (Which isn't a bad idea anyways!).

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by blindside

I continue to recommend to anyone who (1) accepts a job offer in NoVa and (2) needs to commute east-west, should definitely negotiate an employer sponsored (not reimbursement) EZ-Pass as part of their employment contract.

You act like that is an easy thing. I don't know a single company that would provide an EZPass to anyone (regardless of negotiations) besides sales positions. It is better to negotiate a salary that will cover the costs.

[snowdenscold]

spencgr is right on w/ regard to the toll prices. Below uses all rush hour prices. Greenway is 90 cents lower otherwise. DTR stays same regardless.


Greenway while exiting at 606 or 28: $5.20
Greenway while continuing on to Dulles Toll Road and exiting in Herndon/Reston: $6.20 (collected all at once, but $5.20 for Greenway, plus they kick $1 back to DTR).

[and some scenarios irrelevant to the OP, but for sake of completeness]:

Greenway + DTR and exiting Spring Hill or Route 7 East: $7.20 ($6.20 at Greenway main plaza, $1 again exiting)
Greenway + DTR and exiting Route 7 West: $6.20 (no charge to exit on Route 7 west)
Greenway + DTR and continuing thru DTR main toll plaza: $8.70 ($6.20 + $2.50)*

The opening of the Glouchester-Nokes extension in 2016, relieving pressure on Waxpool and not forcing the Greenway to be my only other option: PRICELESS.


* Now remember, even though the two charges on your EZ pass will read "6.20" and "2.50", you're really paying 5.20 to the Greenway, and 3.50 to the Toll Road. FWIW.