Commuting from Centreville area to Bethesda - crazy? (Fairfax: fit in, home search)

[SophieDaphne]

Hello,
As we continue our home search, we realize we need to stay further out to be able to afford anything. We are looking to stay under $400k and have found several properties we like in the Centreville area that fit into our budget.

However, I currently work in Bethesda, but only one day per week. I would need to be at work either at 7am or 7pm, depending on the week. Google maps estimates a 31 minute commute at 530am, but how accurate is this? I'd be happy to leave earlier to avoid the traffic. How bad would it actually be in the morning and at night?

My husband works at INOVA Fairfax. Google maps predicts a 20 minute commute. He also needs to be at work by 7am, so he'd probably leave by 530 to avoid traffic.

Anyone have any insight? Also, the elementary schools get pretty meh ratings (specifically London Towne, but the property we are primarily interested in is zoned for Centreville elementary). Are they pretty good regardless?

Thanks in advance!

[ssa78]

If you leave at 5:30am you'll be fine. If you don't get out until 6:15 you're toast. Seems totally doable for 1 day a week. I suspect your evening commute will be more of a problem because 66 and the beltway around that time are pretty bad.

I don't think 20 minutes to INOVA Fairfax from Centreville is realistic unless your husband really does leave well ahead of time.

Not sure about the schools because I lived in Centreville before kids. But had friends there and they all seemed happy.

[SophieDaphne]

Thank you for the insight! So Centreville to Bethesda would be worse at night, most likely?

I guess my recourse is to work more weekends, which is kind of what I expected, to avoid the horrendous traffic.

[Veritas Vincit]

It would be kinda nuts if your work started at 9 am or 10 am. With a 7 am start the commute to work its not great, but also not the worst commute in this region.

[dkf747]

The afternoon will be crazy on the Beltway between Tysons and Bethesda. Once a week, you can survive it.

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by SophieDaphne

I guess my recourse is to work more weekends, which is kind of what I expected, to avoid the horrendous traffic.

So cute you think the weekends don't have horrendous traffic too They can be better, but not always.

30 min to INOVA is doable at 530a...leave at 630a and it could be an hour. Expect 45+ to get home even at 730pm. Bethesda...well that could be over an hour on a bad day. No way I would try to get there at 7pm if you could do 7a instead.

[ssa78]

Originally Posted by SophieDaphne

Thank you for the insight! So Centreville to Bethesda would be worse at night, most likely?

I guess my recourse is to work more weekends, which is kind of what I expected, to avoid the horrendous traffic.

Weekends would be better. If you can stick to mornings and leave 5:30am that may be best.

Avoid the evening commute if you can. It’s awful. Try getting to DC for a 7pm dinner by car and you’ll understand.

[MedvedActual]

495 and 270 are worse than 95 imo. Weekends were just as bad as weekdays when i drove that stretch every weekend a few years ago. Can only imagine it has gotten worse.