Commute from Shirlington to La Plata (Springfield: apartments, living, internship)

[panther07]

Hello all. Ive been reading the board for a while now and getting lots of great information, but I need a little more. My girlfriend recently accepted a job in Springfield, and she will be moving down in May when she graduates. I don't graduate until August, but have been given the opportunity to complete my final internship in La Plata, MD so that I can move down in May also. It will be much easier for her if I am there to split the rent. We have been looking at apartments for quite a while, and have decided to live near Shirlington, so her commute is pretty easy. I, on the other hand, would be driving from Shirlington to La Plata every day from May through August, while completing my internship. Once I graduate in August, I plan on taking a job much closer to where we are living.

So How bad is the commute from Shirlington to La Plata? Is it tolerable for 3 months in the summer? Any insight is appreiciated. Thanks

[ChristineVA]

For the most part, you will be reverse commuting.

There are two ways to do this:

1. You take 395 North from Shirlington into and through DC, get on 295 south and then take 210 down into Waldorf/LaPlata. Or you could get on 95 North from 295 and hit Rt. 5 and get into Southern Maryland that way. Your problem with this is that little part from Shirlington through town is going to be very heavy (unless you are early). After that, piece of cake. I would say 45 minutes to an hour.

2. Take 395 South from Shirlington and hit 95 North. Go over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and head into LaPlata using the same routes above (210 or 5). This might be a bit longer but I think there will be less traffic. The Wilson bridge can be bad though depending on your time of driving. My mom takes that from Virginia into Maryland everyday and she says it's not bad (but she is early).

[Newk]

The commute is going to be rough. Good luck with that. At least it is reverse. Do you guys have to shack up?

[sweetpotater58]

Be sure to do meditation techniques for the commute, just kidding, now that the Wilson Bridge is nearing completion you will have an easier time commuting than you would have had several years ago. You sound like your young, you can handle the drive.