Alternative ways of getting to Chantilly (Alexandria, Burke: neighborhoods, live, buses)

[wonderwall]

Are there any viable ways of getting to Chantilly? Besides the obvious. I'd be coming from Alexandria. The metro station nearby is set to open in 2018 I believe.

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

[Vectorhead]

A metro station in Chantilly? That's news to me.

To be honest, I'm not sure which route you would consider to be the obvious one. You could take the beltway to 66 to 50. Or you could take the Fairfax County Parkway. A lot of it depends on which part of Alexandria you're coming from. Old Town or Mount Vernon or somewhere in between?

[djplourd]

Assuming you don't want to drive, your options are limited and in my opinion not worthwhile.

There are several combinations of metro and multiple buses that will get you there, but it takes anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. I don't think there are any "direct" bus routes.

The new Phase 2 Silver Line stations that are supposed to open in 2018 (want to make a bet?) aren't much closer to Chantilly
than the current last stop (Wiehle-Reston).

Your best option if you can find it is a car or van pool.

[wonderwall]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. And perhaps I'm mistaken about Phase 2 metro stops. I thought there would be one in or near Chantilly.

I wouldn't mind driving, but I was looking for a less congested route than 66. I'd rather drive for a bit longer but avoiding highways. I find I'm more relaxed when I do that. I'm looking at jobs in Chantilly and currently live near the Fairfax County Parkway. I tried to find an exit off the parkway that would be near Chantilly, but couldn't determine if there were any.

Just thought I'd check if anyone else had any ideas before writing off job applications in this area. I'm finding quite a number of positions in the area, and it seems unfortunate to dismiss them.

Thank you.

[Vectorhead]

I commuted from West Springfield to the edge of Chantilly for a couple of years. Taking the parkway is definitely the way to go. It gets busy but it's also easier to get off the parkway if there's an accident on your route. Just get off on 50 and head west.

[Middlin]

You would most likely exit to Route 50 which is just past Fairlakes, or take 66 and then to 28 depending on exactly where. You could also cut through neighborhoods like Franklin Farms.

[Grsz11]

Where in Alexandria to where in Chantilly?

From what I have seen there really isn't a reverse commute on the Parkway. There seem to be just as many people headed towards Herndon and Reston as there are towards Springfield and Belvoir.

[dkf747]

Franconia Rd to Old Keene Mill to Burke Centre Pkwy to the Fairfax Co. Pkwy was the way I used to take. I wonder if it's still a good route?

[Vectorhead]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Franconia Rd to Old Keene Mill to Burke Centre Pkwy to the Fairfax Co. Pkwy was the way I used to take. I wonder if it's still a good route?

I would just stay on OKM all the way to the Parkway. If you turn on Burke Center Pkwy you hit a bunch of lights but that last stretch of OKM (from Burke Center Pkwy to the Fairfax County Pkwy) doesn't have any lights at all.

[wonderwall]

Sorry to be so confused, but does Fairfax County Parkway actually have an exit in Chantilly? Or would it be necessary to use Dulles Toll Road, route 50, or 66?