Commute from Ashburn to Quantico (Manassas, Woodbridge: credit, home, living in) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

Quietstorm612 · 09-17-2018, 07:12 PM

I am considering applying to a job that I have a pretty good shot at getting at Quantico. If I get it I will likely be living in Ashburn by that time. There will be no other option but to live in Ashburn for personal reasons relating to my fiancé so I know that I either have to suck up a bad commute or not take the job. Basically every commute from Ashburn be at to DC or anywhere outside of Loudoun county is going to suck. This I know but unfortunately I don't have much choice in that matter. I'm looking for some input on people who have done or currently do a commute from Ashburn to Quantico. What times do you leave in the morning and come home in the evening, are there other rideshare options that any of you use, what are the different routes/ alternatives that you would suggest to avoid the worst of traffic etc. Thank you!

Bigfoot424 · 09-18-2018, 02:46 AM

You don't say what the hours are but assuming this is a normal 9-5 type job it really is not that bad of a commute. At least an hour no matter which way you go but you have a few choices. Personally I would do the Rt 28 option to Manassas then 234 to either 619 or all the way to 95. While the so called reverse commute is not as easy as it was years ago this is still not a bad commute in terms of traffic as compared to those going into the DC area. You're still looking at an hour no matter the route you choose.

Quietstorm612 · 09-18-2018, 08:57 AM

Thank you so much for the advice. And yes it's a normal 9-to-5 although I think I would try to do earlier hours like maybe 730 to 430 or something like that. We'll see. I wish there was a VRE or some kind of train service from that part of Virginia down to the southern end but there's not. So we shall see.

spencgr · 09-18-2018, 09:19 AM

So, I don't think it is as easy as Bigfoot says. It's not that easy to get to 28 from Ashburn unless you live right on the Greenway ($$). I would expect it to average about an hour ONLY if you plan on arriving at 7:30 am. As you make that start time later, expect the commute time to increase to 1.5hours or more.

Coming home will take longer, as 4:30 pm is not "off hours". The commute is in full swing at that point. I'd say closer to an hour and twenty minutes on average.

Please note that "on average" means you can usually expect that, but it could be much more. It will NEVER be significantly less. My commute is 1.15 hours "on average", but I have had a fair number of days where it was almost three hours. It has NEVER been under 1 hour (and that is only when I need to arrive by 6:30 am.)

Jon_In_NOVA · 09-18-2018, 11:34 AM

Reverse commute but still a long drive....plus getting on and off base is another challenge which increases overall commute time.

ChristineVA · 09-18-2018, 02:01 PM

I live in Woodbridge and, on the weekends, if I travel to Ashburn, it is pretty much a solid hour. Quantico is farther and the work weekdays will had more time to that.

Bigfoot424 · 09-19-2018, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spencgr

So, I don't think it is as easy as Bigfoot says. It's not that easy to get to 28 from Ashburn unless you live right on the Greenway ($$). I would expect it to average about an hour ONLY if you plan on arriving at 7:30 am. As you make that start time later, expect the commute time to increase to 1.5hours or more.

Coming home will take longer, as 4:30 pm is not "off hours". The commute is in full swing at that point. I'd say closer to an hour and twenty minutes on average.

Please note that "on average" means you can usually expect that, but it could be much more. It will NEVER be significantly less. My commute is 1.15 hours "on average", but I have had a fair number of days where it was almost three hours. It has NEVER been under 1 hour (and that is only when I need to arrive by 6:30 am.)

Yes. There will be some spots that will cause slow downs with leaving Ashburn being one. But at least this commute does have some spots where you're the reverse traffic. Not an easy drive but better than leaving Ashburn and driving into DC in my opinion.

Jon_In_NOVA · 09-19-2018, 06:06 AM

Agreed - If it was me and this career move wasnt career enabling, I'd pass and let another person much closer to MCB take the position. Ashburn into base (much of your stress and end-to-end commute time depends where on base) and parked is long even though much easier than many peoples' commutes.

RecessionCasualty · 09-19-2018, 07:31 AM

If you get this job I'd trade in Ashburn for Woodbridge then. When we lived there we had a neighbor that worked at Quantico so a reverse commute for them and they were really pleased with their commute. Honestly, Woodbridge is a lot nicer then everyone gives it credit.

Bigfoot424 · 09-19-2018, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RecessionCasualty

If you get this job I'd trade in Ashburn for Woodbridge then. When we lived there we had a neighbor that worked at Quantico so a reverse commute for them and they were really pleased with their commute. Honestly, Woodbridge is a lot nicer then everyone gives it credit.

Some of it is and some areas are to be avoided. But if one can afford to live in Ashburn they should be able to afford the nicer areas in Woodbridge.