Should we start an offical communiting times thread? (Arlington, Reston: house, school)

[charlesj]

Seems to be a very common topic, so I was thinking that someone that wouldn't mind frequently updating their first post start a thread. Could even be stickied.

Format could be headings by start location, then subsections for major destinations. IE:

Fairfax

To Rosslynn: 50-70 minutes

To Old Town.....

Or we could have it just be a massive thread of actual commutes that could be searched

[SteelCityRising]

Another facet to consider though would be commute times. If I leave Reston at 5:30 AM to go to work in Tyson's Corner for 6 AM, I can get there in about 22 minutes door-to-door via Route 7 (Leesburg Pike). If I leave at 6:30 AM to get to work for 7 AM, I will take about 33 minutes to get there, on average. I dread to think of what the commute time must be like for folks leaving Reston at 7:30 AM to get to work in Tyson's!

[NRUD]

or we can simply point people to Google Maps and their Traffic feature.

ah, cool eh?

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by NRUD

or we can simply point people to Google Maps and their Traffic feature.

ah, cool eh?

Say what now? I must go have a look-see!

[rivettijensen]

Originally Posted by NRUD

or we can simply point people to Google Maps and their Traffic feature.

ah, cool eh?

Does that include all the different commuting options, though? Like the VRE, Metro Bus, etc? I know for me, all my commuting questions have a lot to do with the various options and which one would be fastest.

I think a commuting times sticky would be a GREAT idea. Then we wouldn't have to keep asking the same questions over and over.

[charlesj]

Maybe due to the complexity, a mass searchable thread with a set format is the answer. For example, the first post could set the directions to search, and the format for posts. Format could be:

Starting City/Town
Destination
Time of Day
Method/Route (ie 66 to vienna metro)
Average time
Notes

That way, the original poster does not have to keep updating it, and people can just search the thread for their location by post.

[NRUD]

Herndon to Downtown dc
Leave house at 7:15am
Pickup a slug or two at 7:30am at Herndon Monroe Park and Ride.
***** about traffic
Look at people getting pulled over for HOV violation in Arlington
***** some more about the traffic
Arrive in NW DC at 8:20

[dod236]

I have to commute from Fairfax City (Braddock Rd) close to George Mason to Arlington (a block from Virginia Square Metro) about twice a week. I leave around 8:15 after I drop off my preschooler. Any tips on back roads, best routes etc.

[Stephen 81]

Originally Posted by NRUD

or we can simply point people to Google Maps and their Traffic feature.

ah, cool eh?

If only that really worked. The number of times I leave work when it shows 66 as being green, only to find out that it is moving about as fast as I can jog, is on the high side

It's definitely saved me from sitting in accident-related jams before, but it's not so great for rush hour commuting. I just tune into WTOP on the 8's.