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Old 01-21-2010, 09:33 AM
 
3 posts, read 7,379 times
Reputation: 10

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Hello!

So I will start off by saying that I did search the thread for ideas and didn't find answers for quite my situation; though I'm sure it's not unique in any way.

My fiancée and I are getting married in 2 months and planning to move to Ashburn at the end of February. Currently I live in Herndon and he lives in Loudoun County near South Riding. He works in Leesburg and I work on Capitol Hill. I know Ashburn is going to make my commute worse, but it's a trade-off for a town that we both love; it fits our style of being quiet and neighborly. Moving closer to DC is not an option for us; we were both raised in NOVA and know the area well.

Right now I drive to the HM Park & Ride and take the 980 WFC Express Bus and then Metro into Capitol Hill, riding the orange line the whole way. I don't mind it so much because I just have to sit there and read the paper. The commute averages about 1hr 15mins each way. I leave my house at 7:00am and get to work at 8:15 or 8:30 depending on when I catch the bus or delays on metro. At a minimum I have to be to work by 8:30am. I don't leave my office in the evening until 5:30pm (at the earliest) or 6:00pm most days, sometimes as late as 7:00pm. This is costing me about $8 each way. Transit benefits come off my base pay and I pay taxes on those as well, so I'm not saving much money there.

My (long-winded) question is: When we move to Ashburn, what is going to be the best route for me to take? I have looked at a number of bus routes that start/end in Ashburn but they don't run early enough in the morning, or late enough in the evenings. Or some will cost as much as $7 just to take me to Metro and then I still have to metro in. Are there any I have missed? I have considered just driving into Herndon and doing my normal route, but traffic in town would make that a 20-25min trip. If I took the Greenway it would be quick and convenient, but $4 one-way. I would be willing to carpool but I can't find a good carpool website that would allow me to find a group or start one. I know of one other person who lives in Loudoun County and works on the Hill and she gets a ride into Herndon and has my route, but would need one more person for HOV lanes. If we do drive, what should we expect for a commute time-wise? And what is the best route to take?

Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just having a hard time finding the best option that is also budget-friendly…

Thanks in advance!
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Old 01-21-2010, 09:35 AM
 
Location: Virginia
18,717 posts, read 31,070,580 times
Reputation: 42988
Oh boy, that's a nasty commute. Have you checked into local slug lines? I think there are some in Reston, and maybe there might be one closer to you.
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Old 01-21-2010, 09:44 AM
 
3 posts, read 7,379 times
Reputation: 10
How would I find the "slug" routes?
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Old 01-21-2010, 09:51 AM
 
Location: Virginia
18,717 posts, read 31,070,580 times
Reputation: 42988
Here's some info that might help:

new-slug-line-dc-herndon

have-you-tried-slugging
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Old 01-21-2010, 10:01 AM
 
428 posts, read 1,114,484 times
Reputation: 263
It looks like this Loudoun Commuter Bus route (http://www.loudoun.gov:80/controls/speerio/resources/RenderContent.aspx?data=228fd4415a454007abb5603280 9e348b&tabid=333 - broken link) would get you within a couple of blocks of work. No Metro necessary!

ETA: Just realized that won't help you on your commute home, though. Sorry.
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Old 01-21-2010, 10:35 AM
 
Location: Brambleton, VA
2,136 posts, read 5,308,494 times
Reputation: 1303
Here are some possibilities for you:

Commuter Connections rideshare board

eRideShare.com

Craigslist - NoVA - rideshare

PickUpPal

Carpool World

Loudoun County - Carpooling (http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=977 - broken link)

AlterNetRides

RideBuzz.org

Broadlands HOA forum - carpool section (must register to post, but do not have to be a Broadlands resident)


One of my neighbors used to commute to Capitol Hill; he bought a hybrid just so he could use the HOV lanes.
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Old 01-21-2010, 12:47 PM
 
3 posts, read 7,379 times
Reputation: 10
I would like to look more into the bus routes before I carpool but thank you all for your suggestions. I think the Leesburg LC route in the morning and the Ashburn North route in the evenings will work best for me. Thank you all for your suggestions!
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Old 01-21-2010, 01:22 PM
 
Location: Home is where the heart is
15,402 posts, read 28,934,961 times
Reputation: 19090
You're welcome, and congrats on the upcoming move and wedding!
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Old 01-21-2010, 02:50 PM
 
Location: Reston, VA
2,090 posts, read 4,244,907 times
Reputation: 1331
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoVAnewlywed View Post
I would be willing to carpool but I can't find a good carpool website that would allow me to find a group or start one. I know of one other person who lives in Loudoun County and works on the Hill and she gets a ride into Herndon and has my route, but would need one more person for HOV lanes. If we do drive, what should we expect for a commute time-wise? And what is the best route to take?
You only need two people in the car for the I-66 HOV.
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