Commuting to Tyson's from North Potomac (Columbia, Silver Spring: home, schools, living in)

[healthking]

Hello,

My family is about to move back to the DC area after living in the Boston metro area for the last five years. Although I grew up in the area, I haven't had to head into VA for a rush hour commute ever, so I don't know what to expect. Our friends live in Silver Spring, Laurel, and Columbia, so we'd like to stay on the MD side.

One area we are looking at is North Potomac. Do you know what the commute from North Potomac to Tyson's would be like? My office is right next to one of the express exits, so at least the local Tyson's traffic won't be much of an issue.

Thanks in advance.

[dkf747]

Depends on time of morning and evening. We go by there between 6:30 and 7 am. I-270 is always slow with heavy traffic, but once on the beltway it's usually okay. Going home, though, you will run in to heavy traffic on the beltway, both in Virginia, and just prior to the merge for 270.

[mcleanexec]

One of the worse traffic congestions in the USA is from Tysons Corner to Motgomery county at 5:00. Routinely completely stop and go traffic for an hour.

I would try to work either an early or late schedule.

[macroy]

Had a commute from Potomac to Tysons for five years. Did the 7-3 deal.... took about 25 min in the AM, and about 45-1hr in the PM. All bets are off if weather is involved.

It was about a 16 mile trip each way.. I basically went down Piney Meetinghouse to River, then Falls to Clara Barton Pkwy to 495. Depending on the traffic pattern, I would often get off at Georgetown Pike and cut through Great Falls/Mclean via Swinks Mill. In the evening, I would always cut through to G'town Pike. The traffic on International, 123 and 495 is just not worth the aggravation imo. Of course, the line getting off Clara Barton by David Taylor is long and hard to avoid in the PM.

In essence, I tried to avoid 495 as much as possible. This was over 5 years ago though - I suspect things have probably gotten worse over time.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by mcleanexec

One of the worse traffic congestions in the USA is from Tysons Corner to Motgomery county at 5:00. Routinely completely stop and go traffic for an hour.

I would try to work either an early or late schedule.

He ain't kidding! I was on 495 tonight near Tysons (Rt. 7). We were driving home from there. We got on 495 at 5:30 pm. We got to Darnestown Rd & Quince Orchard rd. at 6:58 pm. Worst ever time for me. I am not usually in Tyson's Corner at that time, so I didn't know how bad it was.. Now I know.

[Mr Beco]

Originally Posted by healthking

Hello,

My family is about to move back to the DC area after living in the Boston metro area for the last five years. Although I grew up in the area, I haven't had to head into VA for a rush hour commute ever, so I don't know what to expect. Our friends live in Silver Spring, Laurel, and Columbia, so we'd like to stay on the MD side.

One area we are looking at is North Potomac. Do you know what the commute from North Potomac to Tyson's would be like? My office is right next to one of the express exits, so at least the local Tyson's traffic won't be much of an issue.

Thanks in advance.

There's a short-cut somewhere, down Brickyard or Yellow Brick, I think, I cant remember, but the commute is going to be murder! Going from Maryland to Tysons in rush hour is always rough. If you get on the road before 7AM, then its not so tough, but coming home, anywhere between 4-6 PM, have fun, bring lots of books on tape cause you'll be crawling across the bridge. Its an hour commute

[qjbusmaster]

what is truly sad about this trip is that it is faster via the metro redline to metro center then orange line to west falls church to 28A It was much faster than 90 mins. What is worse is this is not even a direct route!!!!.

[Mr Beco]

The commute is horrible. Last Thursday there was an accident at 5:00 PM, nobody was getting home that night. I got off the road and saw a movie....that happens, can happen anywhere, but in hindsight, if I lived in Maryland and worked in Tysons or beyond, I would move to Northern VA....

The commute will shorten your life......maybe the schools are better in Mont County, I dont know...