Alexandria to Andrews AFB commute (Washington: appointed, to live, restaurants)

[mav63]

How bad will the traffic be on the Cap Beltway in the morning going east towards Andrews from Alexandria? I am looking for a 1bdrm apt less than 1500/mo in the Alexandra area unless there is somewhere better. I looked at Upper Marlboro but it is too rural for me. I need restaurants since I don't cook and it would be nice to be near the river for exercise, biking...etc.

Thanks in advance!
From ATL to Andrews

[The Dissenter]

Depends on what exit you get on the beltway in Alexandria. Since they are reconfiguring the beltway around exit 176 (telegraph rd) there will be more traffic jams on what used to be a very easy ride for that exit and any one before it from Springfield. My advice is to try to get on the beltway at exit #177 (Rt 1) that way you can avoid most of that new traffic. Even if you cant avoid the exit #176 traffic the commute is sensible should be no more than 30 min from Alexandria.

If Upper Marlboro is too rural for you, Fort Washington, Clinton, Waldorf, Bowie are also worth a look.

[sydney77]

I currently live in Kingstowne Alexandria and I work in Maryland North of Andrews. My work exit is about 5 exits North of Andrews. The commute is not bad at all. It is all against traffic both ways. It takes me no more than 40 minutes in the morning but most mornings it takes 30 minutes. In the afternoons it takes no more than 30-35 minutes for me to get back to Kingstowne. There have been a few days in the past year when the weather was bad or there was an accident and the commute took over 2 hours. But I can count those times on one hand. Overall, the commute is not bad at all. If you are looking for a place less than $1500 I suggest you try Kingstowne or some other apts in Alexandria on Eisenhower Rd. If you want to be near more shops and things to do you should definitely pick Alexandria as opposed to parts of Southern MD. In my opinion you would be disappointed with Southern MD near Andrews to live. Good luck.

[DC's Finest]

For the amenities that you are looking for, I would do Alexandria. I never hate on PG but the county is lacking in many ways. The drive to Andrews is only seven miles from Old Town but that could mean a 45 minute drive on the beltway.