Commute from Ellicot City- DC Pls Help (Baltimore, Silver Spring: neighborhoods, schools)

[KDkid]

I agree with the other posts and the commute sucks. There really isn't any way to get around it.

[jassis]

Looks like I'll have to find a place closer to live. I wanted to be in EC because I hear they have great schools

[TheresaSheaffer]

Really depends on where you are going in DC. Driving, there are three major routes that will take you most of the way there: 29/95/295. If one is backed up, you can usually hit one of the other two. 'Till you hit the Beltway, where the least amount pavement you cover there, the better. Navigating traffic in this area is an art form. I'm a lifelong Balt/Wash Corridor native and worked for a courier service office for a few years. Around here it's more about listening for backups and finding a way to avoid them before your stuck. There's always another way to go. If you would rather not embark on this daily adventure, the MARC might be better for you. Good luck, welcome and Happy trails!

[selhars]

We could give you better answers with more info..

-- First of all -- what time do you abslutely HAVE To be at work, AND WHERE in DC is it? (Not the place but the closest intersection or neighborhood would help)

-- What time will you leave work most days?
-- Do you PREFER to drive or public transit?

--Where is EC are you? NEAR a highway? north? south? Locations count around here. In the city, 5 blocks on a bad day can take you a 20 mins! And that's no exaggeration.

Sorry to disagree, but can take up to 2 hours each way if traffic is bad. It takes 45 minutes if things are incredible, 1 hour if things are good and it isn't rush hour.

So true.

My father lives in Catonsville, right on the Ellicott City line, and drives to Chantilly VA most days - a little past DC but this still gives you an idea. In the mornings he is on the road by 6:30am at the latest and arrives to work fairly early - 8:00amish. If he left any later he'd be late for work. On the way home it typically takes him 2 hours to get home.

That is damned good for the morning. I don't know that I'd count on that every day. And 2 hours in afternoon sounds right.

It's vital that you get that -- especially in the morning going in -- there's a VERT NARROW time frame -- as little as five mins some places -- between leaving to get there early -- and leaving later means a half-hour longer commute.

Afternoon rush hour is very long. Leaving at 6:30p can take just as long as leaving at 4p. Especially still in DC, as you get further out of town you'll star to see the traffic ease up with people who live closer dropping off.

[jassis]

Originally Posted by selhars

We could give you better answers with more info..

-- First of all -- what time do you abslutely HAVE To be at work, AND WHERE in DC is it? (Not the place but the closest intersection or neighborhood would help) I'll be working at 1825 K Street NW.

-- What time will you leave work most days? 6:30am
-- Do you PREFER to drive or public transit? Public

--Where is EC are you? NEAR a highway? north? south? Locations count around here. In the city, 5 blocks on a bad day can take you a 20 mins! And that's no exaggeration. We are not sure yet in where in EC

So true.

That is damned good for the morning. I don't know that I'd count on that every day. And 2 hours in afternoon sounds right.

It's vital that you get that -- especially in the morning going in -- there's a VERT NARROW time frame -- as little as five mins some places -- between leaving to get there early -- and leaving later means a half-hour longer commute.

Afternoon rush hour is very long. Leaving at 6:30p can take just as long as leaving at 4p. Especially still in DC, as you get further out of town you'll star to see the traffic ease up with people who live closer dropping off.

Thanks for your reply

[selhars]

OMG..... 1825 K is my old work building!

Driving in from Bowie took me every bit of an hour to be at work at 8a.m.

I'm guessing the train will take you an hour if not more.
Depending on how far you are from the stations - coming and going.

[jassis]

Hello again!

After speaking with lots of people. I found out a route via the MARC and I would like to pick your brain.

Please let me know if there are any better way to get this.

Ellicott City, MD to Southwestern Blvd - Google Maps

Ellicott City, MD
1.Head northeast on Old Columbia Pike toward Frederick Rd/Main St115 ft
2.Turn right at Frederick Rd/Main St Continue to follow Frederick Rd4.2 mi
3.Turn right to merge onto I-695 S2.1 mi
4.Take exit 12A for US-1/Southwestern Blvd toward Arbutus0.2 mi
5.Keep left at the fork to continue toward US-1 S/Southwestern Blvd and merge onto US-1 S/Southwestern Blvd Destination will be on the right0.9 mi

Then take the metro to my office. Which should a 10 min ride.

Thanks for yout input

[J_Lurk]

12 minutes to Halethorpe Station, 45 minutes on the Penn Line, 10 minutes on Metro, plus transition time and delayed train time.

Or you could go 14 minutes to Dorsey Station, 46 minutes on the Camden line, 10 minutes on the Metro, plus transition time and delayed train time.

There's really no getting around that it takes more than one hour.

[jayman1981]

Well while I'm sure Ellicott city is a nice place, do you think living closer to your job would work out better. I say this because there are plenty of areas in this region that have good schools that can get you closer to a metro station. I say this because if you have kids, the last thing you want to do is spend a large part of your day away from your family. I speak from experience when I say that living so far out and not be able to get to kids activities can suck.

It's your life and if your comfortable with Ellicott City than so be it, but you can find another spot closer in that can get you at least to a metro line. Try Silver Spring area. If I offend you then I apologize. It is not my intent, just encourage every parent to live closer to your job if possible. Those commutes can literally drain you. Trust me I have gone through it.

[jassis]

Thanks for your input jayman and no offense taken!

I've checked out areas such as rockville and I did see some good hoods. The problem is that we are moving from LA, CA and are trying to be in area that is less congested then silver S or rockville. We enjoy the feeling of quietness. In LA commuting to my previous job it would take me about 45 mins to 1hr. Commuting only 13 miles.