Possible Spotsylvania to Oakton Commute for new job (Dale City, Manassas: chapel, to live in)

[va_lucky]

I am considering taking a job in Oakton, VA. My commute would be from about a mile east of the Spotsylvania Courthouse to Oakton. It took me about 1 hr 30 minutes to get to my interview which is not that bad (compared to some of the commutes I have had to make)...(don't laugh). Google Maps said take 95 to the beltway towards Tyson then get off. My GPS said to take 95 to 123 then get off. I tried the 95 to 123 route and it really wasn't all that bad until I got to the tail end of 123. It was 1 lane in each direction, bumper to bumper and accidents were all over the place.

Which route would you take if you had to do it? Maybe you all know some routes that I am not familiar with? Moving is not an option unless I decide to short sell which I am not willing to do. I don't want to turn this thread into a why I should move thread. I would consider public transportation to this area if it was reasonable....but it does not seem to be. At least there would be free parking at the facility which is a big plus over working in DC proper from my perspective.

Thanks

[bmwguydc]

Avoid as much of I-95 as possible, especially at any time near rush hour. I would take 123, which is not usually horrible, save for the usual choke points at Braddock and Route 50 in the Fairfax area.

If you leave early enough, or if the traffic is horrible on 95, since it can back up at Dale City, I would exit at 234, Montclair/Dumfries, and then make a right on Spriggs Road, right on Hoadly Road, and follow Hoadly across Prince William Parkway to Davis Ford. Follow Davis Ford to a right on Yates Ford, through Clifton to Henderson Road. You could take a right on Henderson, follow to the 4 way stop sign, and turn left on Wolf Run Shoals Road to a right on Chapel to a left on 123. Or, you could take a left on Henderson, left on Clifton Road, follow it to the town of Clifton, right on Main Street, cross the train tracks, and stay straight on Newman Road. Take a right on Fairfax Station Road, left on Colchester, right on Fairfax Station again to a left on 123.

Unfortunately, the route through Clifton picks up a huge volume of traffic from Manassas, so it's not clear sailing, and sometimes the delays are epic headed west in the afternoon, but it can come in handy as a work around to a really bad morning on 95, since people will bail out on 123 in Woodbridge to try to avoid some of the delays. Someone I know who used to live in Montclair used the Clifton route to commute to Tysons, despite being only a couple of minutes from 95.

The other reason why you want to avoid 95 is the Beltway from Springfield to 66W can be horrible in the morning. It could easily take you over two hours using that route without too many problems. If you have somewhat flexible hours, my recommendation would be to leave early and take 123, especially if you can leave early on the return trip, too.

[va_lucky]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

Avoid as much of I-95 as possible, especially at any time near rush hour. I would take 123, which is not usually horrible, save for the usual choke points at Braddock and Route 50 in the Fairfax area.

If you leave early enough, or if the traffic is horrible on 95, since it can back up at Dale City, I would exit at 234, Montclair/Dumfries, and then make a right on Spriggs Road, right on Hoadly Road, and follow Hoadly across Prince William Parkway to Davis Ford. Follow Davis Ford to a right on Yates Ford, through Clifton to Henderson Road. You could take a right on Henderson, follow to the 4 way stop sign, and turn left on Wolf Run Shoals Road to a right on Chapel to a left on 123. Or, you could take a left on Henderson, left on Clifton Road, follow it to the town of Clifton, right on Main Street, cross the train tracks, and stay straight on Newman Road. Take a right on Fairfax Station Road, left on Colchester, right on Fairfax Station again to a left on 123.

Unfortunately, the route through Clifton picks up a huge volume of traffic from Manassas, so it's not clear sailing, and sometimes the delays are epic headed west in the afternoon, but it can come in handy as a work around to a really bad morning on 95, since people will bail out on 123 in Woodbridge to try to avoid some of the delays. Someone I know who used to live in Montclair used the Clifton route to commute to Tysons, despite being only a couple of minutes from 95.

The other reason why you want to avoid 95 is the Beltway from Springfield to 66W can be horrible in the morning. It could easily take you over two hours using that route without too many problems. If you have somewhat flexible hours, my recommendation would be to leave early and take 123, especially if you can leave early on the return trip, too.

Solid information. Thank you very much. Factoring in working hours is such a big deal around here as you know. My last job refused to let me work anything besides 0830-0530. I am glad that I got laid off in that respect!

[choff5]

Originally Posted by va_lucky

Solid information. Thank you very much. Factoring in working hours is such a big deal around here as you know. My last job refused to let me work anything besides 0830-0530. I am glad that I got laid off in that respect!

Depending on where the job is in Oakton you might be able to avoid some of the traffic lights through Fairfax City and that area by getting off of 123 and onto the FFX Co Pkway and take that to Rt. 50 or that area and take back roads over to Oakton. I don't commute that way but live in the area and know there are some. Someone who is on the road may have a better idea if that makes sense, although it may depend on exactly where the job is.

[bmwguydc]

I should know better than to type when sleepy in the early morning. I just noticed an issue with the above route through Clifton. Yates Ford Road turns into Henderson, so you would physically make a right turn, if you curve to the left, you would be on Henderson. You can then turn right on Clifton Road to get to the 4-way stop sign, and the left on Wolf Run Shoals, or the left on Clifton Road into the town of Clifton to Main to Newmann, etc.

If you make the right turn on Henderson, and go up and down the hills, it's a more difficult road to navigate, you will come to the same stop sign, but Henderson in that direction turns into Wolf Run Shoals at at a three-way stop sign. Turning right would take you to 123 on Henderson, but you're practically in Lorton that way, so it would actually add time to the commute.

Yates Ford parallels Chapel Road, from Clifton Road, but portions are dirt/gravel, and it's a much more rural road than other roads in the area. That's why I would not recommend taking it from Clifton if you see it on the map or GPS directs you that way.

Sorry for the confusion. I just wanted to be clear since the way the directions read, I forgot to put Clifton Road in the proper place in the navigation, so you would be looking for a four-way stop sign on Henderson that's actually at the intersection of Clifton and Wolf Run Shoals.

[va_lucky]

Didn't get the job. I always post this stuff when I am 98% of the way there. Oh well thanks for the pointers guys. I bet this helps someone at some point. I won't post again until I definitely get the job...I tend to jinx myself everytime I do this!

[michgc]

Originally Posted by va_lucky

Didn't get the job. I always post this stuff when I am 98% of the way there. Oh well thanks for the pointers guys. I bet this helps someone at some point. I won't post again until I definitely get the job...I tend to jinx myself everytime I do this!

Sorry you didn't get the job. Maybe you will get one closer to home, though. Good luck!

[va_lucky]

That's ok...got one at the Pentagon now...much better commuting options!

Originally Posted by michgc

Sorry you didn't get the job. Maybe you will get one closer to home, though. Good luck!