Oakton to Georgetown commute time? (Arlington, Vienna: renting, home, university)

[Bass101]

I'm considering renting a home near the intersection of Chain Bridge Road & Hunter Mill Road in Oakton. I work at Georgetown University. Does anyone have an idea of the average commute time? And what would be the best routes in the morning and afternoon (123 vs 66 vs 50)? I need to be at work at 6:30 AM. I leave work on average around 4 PM.

(Metro is not an option, either)

Thanks!

[charlesj]

At those times, its not nearly as bad. Leave an hour, but it will probably take 45 minutes. On the way there, you can take 66, but the way back it will be HOV and you will need to take 50.

[ACWhite]

If you have a Prius or other "clean fuel" qualified vehicle, you can drive alone on 66 during the restricted hours.

[MacUser85]

Going in will be a breeze on 66 East all the way to the Key Bridge. I imagine you will have a 35-40 minute drive door to door.

Coming home you have to take Route 29 Lee Hwy or Route 50 Arlington Blvd. I imagine at 4pm you are looking at 60-75 minutes.

Remember 66 East is restricted inside the Beltway M-F 6:30am-9am and 66 West is restricted inside the Beltway M-F 4-6:30pm.

Good luck!

[normie]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

If you have a Prius or other "clean fuel" qualified vehicle, you can drive alone on 66 during the restricted hours.

Is that still in force? I thought they were just doing that for a year or two (but I could be wrong, this isn't one of those things I follow). Great news if that's still the rule, I always that that was a good idea.

[FrannyBear]

Another suggestion for your return trip home is to take the Key Bridge to the GW Parkway North-- take the exit for 123 South and then get on the Dulles Toll Road until Hunter Mill Exit and go into Oakton the back way -- if you leave work at 4 pm I predict a 60 minute drive. That is not too bad.

An alternative suggestion is to take The Clara Barton Parkway west all the way to The Beltway South to Virginia -- you can then get off on 66 West from the Beltway (HOV is only inside the Beltway) and get off at the first Vienna exit which will put you at Nutley and 123 -- just 2 short miles from your home intersection. It may actually be quicker even tho it looks a bit convuluted.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by normie

Great news if that's still the rule, I always thought that was a good idea.

(Says the woman who drives a Prius and gets to zoom on through the HOV lanes!)

[normie]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

(Says the woman who drives a Prius and gets to zoom on through the HOV lanes!)

Believe it or not, I actually prefer driving on Rt. 7. Yup, even though I drive a Prius. Go figure!

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by normie

Is that still in force? I thought they were just doing that for a year or two (but I could be wrong, this isn't one of those things I follow). Great news if that's still the rule, I always that that was a good idea.

Yes, they have to renew it each year, and they did so last year. The current allowance ends June, 2010, unless they extend it again.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes - Rules and FAQs

"Hybrid rules on I-66 and Dulles Toll Road:

• Hybrids with clean fuel plates are allowed to travel in the HOV lanes on I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road during rush hour with one occupant. The current exemption expires June 30, 2010."

[ngadude]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

Yes, they have to renew it each year, and they did so last year. The current allowance ends June, 2010, unless they extend it again.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes - Rules and FAQs

"Hybrid rules on I-66 and Dulles Toll Road:

• Hybrids with clean fuel plates are allowed to travel in the HOV lanes on I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road during rush hour with one occupant. The current exemption expires June 30, 2010."

Doesn't really matter to me (as a Prius owner) if I can no longer drive in the HOV lanes - the primary reason I bought the Prius is to save gas.

Also, I've had a few encounters over the 3 years I've owned the Prius with some idiots thinking it didn't belong in the HOV lane and people honking their horn and flashing lights. It wasn't due to my speed, I was keeping up with the car ahead of me. These were people who either resent someone with a hybrid car in the HOV lane and/or just think they are enforcing the HOV rules as they know them, and are oblivious to the fact that a Prius with proper plates is allowed currently to drive in the HOV lane.

As a result of one of these incidents, I have basically stopped driving my Prius in the HOV lane. Some lunatic nearly caused an accident because of his attempt to get me to move over. Again, it was not due to speed, I keep up with the car ahead of me in the HOV lane. I actually got that person's license plate and reported it to the police, as he did a very dangerous maneuver. There's some real lunatics out there that will very aggressively try to force someone out of the HOV lane who they think doesn't belong.

Fortunately after relocating recently, I no longer drive I-66 so that solved my problem of worrying about the whole hybrid in the HOV lane mess. That's why it won't affect me one bit if they remove that restriction. All I really bought my Prius for was to save gas, which it does a wonderful job of.